What is the general syntax of a function in SAS?

The general syntax of a function in SAS is represented by the form of functionname followed by parentheses that contain arguments. Each function in SAS is identified by its name, which indicates the action it performs. The arguments, which are the specific values or variables the function operates on, are placed within the parentheses and can vary in number based on the function’s requirements.

In this case, the correct format is functionname(arg1, arg2, arg3), highlighting that a function typically has a name followed by multiple arguments that it may require. This structure is essential for proper function execution within SAS programming, as it ensures the function can appropriately process the input values provided.

The other options do not accurately represent the general syntax: "function(arg1, arg2)" suggests a function without a specific name, which is not how functions are typically defined. "function(arguments)" is too vague as it does not specify the function name, and "function(arg1, arg1, arg1)" implies redundancy in the argument names, which is not a requirement for valid function syntax.