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Can you explain the difference between the MERGE and APPEND procedures in SAS?

Understanding the difference between the MERGE and APPEND procedures in SAS is crucial for data manipulation and analysis. The MERGE procedure in SAS is used to combine datasets horizontally based on common variables, creating a single dataset with observations from both sources. On the other hand, the APPEND procedure in SAS is used to stack datasets vertically, simply appending one dataset below the other without considering any common variables. It is important to choose the appropriate procedure based on the desired outcome in your data analysis process.

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