What does the PUT function do in SAS?

The PUT function in SAS is used to convert numeric values to formatted character strings. This function allows you to specify a format that dictates how the numeric data will be represented as a character string. For example, if you have a numeric value representing a date, you can use the PUT function with a date format to get a more readable string representation of that date. This is particularly useful when you want to convert numbers into a string format for report generation or for displaying in a user-friendly manner.

Additionally, using the PUT function enables the application of various formats, such as currency formats, percentage formats, or custom formats defined by the user, which enhances the presentation of data within reports and analyses. This functionality is essential in SAS programming, as it allows for greater control over how data is displayed and interpreted in output results.