How do you delete a variable from a dataset in SAS?

Deleting a variable from a dataset in SAS is effectively accomplished by using the DROP statement within a DATA step. When you use the DROP statement, you explicitly specify the variable(s) you wish to remove from the dataset during the data processing stage. This modification applies only to the newly created dataset, allowing you to keep the original dataset unchanged if needed.

The DROP statement is beneficial because it provides clarity in your code, and you can selectively remove multiple variables in one command, enhancing data management efforts. The usage of the DROP statement is straightforward and fits seamlessly within the flow of data manipulation in SAS.

In contrast, the options that involve PROC PRINT or WHERE clauses do not pertain to the actual deletion of variables from the dataset. Excluding a variable in PROC PRINT merely prevents it from being displayed in the output but does not remove it from the dataset itself. Modifying the dataset header is not a valid method for variable deletion in SAS, since headers are not directly editable in that manner. Lastly, using a WHERE clause is intended for filtering data observations rather than eliminating variables entirely from a dataset.