ATOF(III)                    4/30/73                    ATOF(III)







NAME

     atof - ascii to floating



SYNOPSIS

     double atof(nptr)

     char *nptr;



DESCRIPTION

     Atof converts a string to a floating  number.   Nptr  should

     point   to   a  string  containing  the  number;  the  first

     unrecognized character ends the number.



     The only numbers recognized are:   an  optional  minus  sign

     followed  by  a  string  of digits optionally containing one

     decimal point, then followed  optionally  by  the  letter  e

     followed by a signed integer.



DIAGNOSTICS

     There are none; overflow results in a very large number  and

     garbage characters terminate the scan.



BUGS

     The routine should accept initial +, initial blanks,  and  E

     for e.  Overflow should be signalled.