Can an array be retained in SAS?

In SAS, arrays are not retained after the data step has been processed. When you define an array in a data step, it is created temporarily for use during that step and does not keep its value across multiple iterations of the data step or hold values for subsequent iterations of the data step. This characteristic means that any initialization within that step essentially resets the array values for each observation processed.

This is different from variables in a data step that can be retained using the RETAIN statement, which allows them to maintain their values from one iteration to the next. Since arrays do not have this ability, the answer that states arrays cannot be retained aligns with the foundational concepts of how arrays are implemented in SAS data steps.

Therefore, the concept that arrays in SAS do not retain their values is a critical detail that helps define their functionality within the language.