informat vs format

[clqa]

why is the input(source, INFORMAT) while put(source, FORMAT)?

[ballardw]

It is simple to check the two functions in the online help under functions.

INPUT reads (converts text to another value using the rules in the informat)

PUT writes (displays text based on the rules in the format)

Input may create either numeric  or text values from text or text stored in a variable.

Put always generates text output.

[mkeintz]

I think it a bit more accurate to say PUT writes sas values to non-sas representations.  And input does the opposite.  It's not always true that INPUT reads "text" and PUT writes "text".  For example:

input x ib4.;

put x rb8. ;