Which keyword is most commonly used in the DATA statement to define the location of a permanent dataset?

The LIBNAME keyword is crucial in SAS for defining a library, which is essentially a reference to a location where datasets are stored. By using LIBNAME, you can specify a permanent location on your system or server where the dataset will reside beyond the current SAS session.

When you assign a library with the LIBNAME statement, you are indicating the path where the dataset should be saved, along with a library name that can be referred to throughout your SAS program. This connection allows SAS to understand where to look for the datasets and where to save new datasets that you create or modify.

In contrast, other keywords like DATABASE, PERMANENT, and STORAGE are not utilized in SAS for this specific purpose. They either do not exist in this context or serve different functions not directly related to defining the location of datasets in SAS. Therefore, LIBNAME is the correct choice as it directly addresses the requirement of designating the location of a permanent dataset.