How can you display messages and variable values in the SAS log?

The PUTLOG statement is a powerful tool in SAS for displaying messages and variable values in the SAS log. By utilizing this statement, you can send specific messages or the values of variables directly to the log for debugging or informational purposes. It allows for a clear and simple way to track the flow of your SAS program and understand the values being processed at various stages.

For example, you can use the PUTLOG statement like so:

data _null_;

x = 5;

putlog 'The value of x is ' x;

run;

This code would result in a message being displayed in the SAS log indicating the value of the variable x. This is particularly useful during data step processing when you need to examine input data or confirm that operations are being performed as expected.

Other options might not effectively achieve the same goal. The DISPLAY statement does not exist in SAS for this purpose, and the LOG statement is not a recognized SAS statement. The MESSAGE statement, although it may sound plausible, is not a valid feature in SAS. Therefore, the PUTLOG statement is the appropriate choice when it comes to displaying messages and variable values in the SAS log effectively.