If statement

[Fiery]

When I look at this question, I thought the answer should be 4 variables including a new variable ``Group``. However, the correct the answer is 3. I am a bit confused about the IF statement, what is the result for this IF statement then?  Thanks for help. 

[Astounding · Accepted solution]

There's a stand-alone KEEP statement:

keep name height weight;

The stand-alone statement applies to the output, not the input.  So the output data set contains only those three variables.  It doesn't matter how many variables are part of the input, or how many variables get created along the way by programming statements.

[HB]

The IF statement is a pointless red herring.

It creates a value of GROUP for records with a value of AGE meeting a condition, but then noting is done with it.  It's stupid and not anything you would write in real life.

[Fiery]

Thanks for your reply. Is there something wrong this the IF statement? What if we do want to create a variable Group to set age >=13 to be "Teen". How would you write the programme to make it appear to the output? Thanks! 

[Astounding]

You would need to add a fourth variable to the list of those being kept:

keep name height weight group;

The rest of the program could remain unchanged.

[Fiery]

Thanks!