How do you create a temporary dataset in SAS?

Creating a temporary dataset in SAS is accomplished by using the WORK library in the DATA statement. When you designate a dataset without a permanent library prefix (e.g., WORK.dataset_name), SAS automatically saves it in the WORK library, which is a special library that holds datasets only for the duration of your SAS session. This means that once you end your SAS session, all datasets in the WORK library are deleted, making them temporary.

This method streamlines the process of creating datasets that don't need to be permanently stored, facilitating quick data manipulation and testing without cluttering the permanent storage. In contrast, using datasets defined in the SASHELP library creates access to built-in datasets that SAS provides, rather than creating a new dataset. Specifying a DATA option does not inherently create a temporary dataset; rather, it modifies existing properties or behavior. Lastly, writing an explicit LIBNAME statement is typically used to assign a library reference to a specific location, generally for permanent datasets, rather than for creating temporary datasets.