Which function would you use to convert a character variable to numeric in SAS?

The INPUT function is the correct choice for converting a character variable to a numeric variable in SAS. This function allows you to read data from a character representation and convert it into a numeric format using specified informat. For example, if you have a character variable containing numbers formatted as strings, the INPUT function can transform those strings into numeric values so they can be used in calculations or statistical analyses.

Using the INPUT function typically requires an additional argument: the informat that specifies how to interpret the character data. For example, if you had a character variable representing dates in a certain format, you would need to provide the appropriate informat for that format when using the INPUT function.

The PUT function, on the other hand, is designed for converting numeric variables to character variables, which is the opposite of what is required in this scenario. The COMPRESS function is used to remove specified characters from a string, and the COALESCE function is used for handling missing values by returning the first non-missing value from a list of arguments. Therefore, INPUT stands out as the function specifically meant for converting character data into numeric format.