What does the input function do in SAS?

The input function in SAS is specifically designed to convert character strings into numeric values. This function is particularly useful when working with datasets that contain variables in character format that need to be treated as numeric for analysis or calculations. For example, if you have a character variable that contains numeric values, using the input function allows SAS to interpret those characters as numbers, enabling you to perform mathematical operations on them.

This function can also utilize formats to read the character string correctly if it represents a number in a specific way. Therefore, the capability to convert character representations of numbers into actual numeric data types is essential for statistical analysis and data manipulation within SAS.

In contrast, formatting numeric values as characters does not capture the core purpose of the input function, which is focused on conversion rather than formatting. Assigning variable names refers to defining the variables within a dataset, and creating a new dataset involves different procedures that do not directly relate to the input function's functionality. Thus, the proper answer emphasizes the input function's role as a converter from character data to numeric values.