CLASS variables </ TRUNCATE>;
The CLASS statement names the classification variables to be used in the model. The PLS procedure uses a singular, GLM parameterization for effects involving CLASS variables, as discussed in the section GLM Parameterization of Classification Variables and Effects in Chapter 20, Shared Concepts and Topics. Typical classification variables are Treatment, Sex, Race, Group, and Replication. If you use the CLASS statement, it must appear before the MODEL statement statement.
Classification variables can be either character or numeric. By default, class levels are determined from the entire set of formatted values of the CLASS variables.
You can use the TRUNCATE option to determine class levels by using no more than the first 16 characters of the formatted values.
In any case, you can use formats to group values into levels. See the discussion of the FORMAT procedure in the Base SAS Procedures Guide and the discussions of the FORMAT statement and SAS formats in SAS Formats and Informats: Reference.
You can specify the following option in the CLASS statement after a slash (/):