A SAS programmer uses the %SYSFUNC macro function in the following code: %let today = %sysfunc(today(), date9.); What does this code accomplish?
Select an answer to reveal the explanation.
Short Explanation and Infographic
Here's the deal — a is correct because %SYSFUNC(today(), date9.) calls the SAS today() function (which returns today's SAS date serial number) and applies the date9. format to convert it to a character string like '29JUL2026', which is then stored in the macro variable 'today'.
Full explanation below image
Full Explanation
A is correct because %SYSFUNC(today(), date9.) calls the SAS today() function (which returns today's SAS date serial number) and applies the date9. format to convert it to a character string like '29JUL2026', which is then stored in the macro variable 'today'. B is wrong because %LET creates a macro variable, not a DATA step variable. C misinterprets the syntax — the second argument to %SYSFUNC is an optional format, not a function argument. D is wrong because the date9. format is applied, converting the serial number to a formatted string.