How do you combine datasets side-by-side in SAS?

The method to combine datasets side-by-side in SAS is achieved by employing the MERGE statement within a DATA step. This approach allows you to merge two or more datasets that share a common variable, often referred to as a key variable. The MERGE statement stacks datasets horizontally, where it aligns records based on the values of those key variables. This is particularly useful when you want to consolidate related information spread across different datasets into one comprehensive dataset.

For instance, if you have one dataset containing customer information and another containing corresponding sales data, merging them based on a unique customer identifier allows you to create a unified view of customer details alongside their sales.

The other methods mentioned, such as using the SQL JOIN statement, while capable of combining datasets, typically create a new dataset based on the relational attributes rather than merely merging them side by side as per the definition in SAS. The APPEND procedure instead focuses on stacking datasets vertically, adding new rows rather than combining columns. The concept of defining a combined dataset in PROC DATA does not accurately describe any existing procedure in SAS meant for dataset combination and lacks clarity in its functionality.