Which of the following statements is true about DATA steps and PROC steps in SAS?

The statement that DATA steps can only create datasets while PROC steps can analyze them is accurate because of the distinct functions that these steps serve within SAS programming.

DATA steps are primarily designed for data manipulation and dataset creation. When using a DATA step, you can read data, create new variables, modify existing variables, and process data to form a dataset that is ready for further analysis. Essentially, every DATA step ultimately results in the creation or modification of a SAS dataset.

On the other hand, PROC steps (short for PROCedure steps) are used for performing specific analyses and statistical procedures on datasets. Each PROC step utilizes existing datasets to produce results, such as summary statistics, reports, or visualizations, without necessarily creating new datasets.

While it’s accurate that both DATA and PROC steps can interact with and process datasets, the key distinction lies in the primary function of each. DATA steps focus on creating and preparing datasets, while PROC steps focus on analyzing and reporting on those datasets. This delineation reinforces the validity of the chosen statement.