What is the correct syntax for sorting a dataset in SAS?

The correct answer for sorting a dataset in SAS is found in the first choice, which employs the proper PROC SORT syntax. PROC SORT is the procedure used to sort datasets, and it requires specific keywords to effectively perform the operation.

In this case, the syntax begins with PROC SORT, indicating the procedure being called. The data= option specifies the dataset to be sorted, which is provided in the format lib.table, where "lib" refers to the library and "table" is the dataset name. The out= option is used to define the output dataset where the sorted results will be stored; it can be either the same dataset or a different one. The by statement is followed by the variable(s) that will determine how the data should be sorted.

This understanding of the process is crucial when working with datasets because it ensures the desired ordering of data for analysis or reporting. The use of by variable allows for ascending order sorting of the specified variable, which is typically the default behavior.

While other choices present variations on the correct syntax, they either use incorrect keywords or syntax structures that do not follow the established conventions for sorting datasets in SAS, such as using PROC Order or incorrect specification of the data=