How are format statements typically assigned in a DATA step?

Format statements in a DATA step are used to control the appearance of data values in output. When a format statement is applied within a DATA step, it assigns a format to the specified variable for the duration of that DATA step's execution. However, if a format statement is specified within a DATA step, it applies only to the observations created or modified during that particular step.

If the goal is to make the format applied to a variable permanent, typically, it must be saved in a dataset using procedures like PROC DATASETS or by explicitly defining the format in the attributes of the data variables during dataset creation or modification. In this context, "permanently assigned" refers to the ability to retain the format information after the DATA step has completed, ensuring that when the dataset is accessed in future sessions or operations, the formatting will still be applied, preserving the intended visual representation for data output.

The other choices don't accurately describe how format statements work in SAS. Though formats applied in a DATA step can be temporary, they can also be marked as permanent if included properly in the dataset attributes. This layered understanding of format assignments in SAS helps in managing how data appears in output and ensures that specific formats remain consistent across sessions.