How do you permanently delete data sets in SAS?

In SAS, permanently deleting data sets can be accomplished using the PROC DATASETS procedure with the DELETE option. This approach allows for the deletion of existing data sets from a specified library without the need to manually open or edit them.

When using PROC DATASETS, you can efficiently manage multiple data sets by listing them all in one command. The syntax typically includes specifying the library and the names of the data sets to be deleted, which provides a streamlined method for data management. This procedural method is particularly useful for working with large projects or when you need to delete several data sets simultaneously.

Other approaches, such as using the DELETE statement in a DATA step, do not actually delete data sets. Instead, a DATA step with DELETE performs an operation on datasets but does not remove them from the data library. Similarly, while a DROP statement can remove variables within a dataset, it does not delete the dataset itself. The PROC DELETE procedure is not a standard procedure available in SAS, so it cannot be used for this purpose. Thus, PROC DATASETS with the DELETE option is the correct method for permanently deleting data sets in SAS.