What is the difference between a macro variable and a macro function in SAS?

In SAS, a macro variable is a placeholder used to store a value that can be referenced throughout a SAS program. It is defined using the %LET statement and referenced using an ampersand (&) symbol.

On the other hand, a macro function in SAS is a user-defined function that performs a specific task or calculation and can be called within a macro program using the %MACRO statement. Unlike a macro variable, a macro function returns a value or a result based on the input parameters provided.

Therefore, the main difference between a macro variable and a macro function in SAS is that a macro variable stores a value for later use, while a macro function performs a specific operation or calculation and returns a result.