It's almost the most misunderstood concept in SAS programming I think. I have lost count of the number of times someone has asked "How do I change the number so it has n decimal places?"
I always try to open a discussion on formats with a caveat like "it doesn't change the data, it simply adds lipstick so it looks familiar". Actually, if I thought most people would understand I'd refer to a mask and Lon Chaney appearing as Quasimodo, but that probably dates me a little You still have the fine actor underneath, but he looks a little different.
Kind regards
David