ATODBL: Converting an Alphanumeric String to Double-Precision Format

How to:

The ATODBL function converts a number in alphanumeric format to decimal (double-precision) format.

Syntax: How to Convert an Alphanumeric String to Double-Precision Format 

ATODBL(source_string, length, output)

where:

source_string
Alphanumeric

Is the string consisting of digits and, optionally, one sign and one decimal point to be converted, or a field or variable that contains the string.

length
Alphanumeric

Is the two-character length of the source string in bytes. This can be a numeric constant, or a field or variable that contains the value. If you specify a numeric constant, enclose it in single quotation marks, for example '12'.

output
Double precision floating-point

Is the name of the field that contains the result, or the format of the output value enclosed in single quotation marks.

Example: Converting an Alphanumeric Field to Double-Precision Format

ATODBL converts the EMP_ID field into double-precision format and stores the result in D_EMP_ID: 

TABLE FILE EMPLOYEE
PRINT LAST_NAME AND FIRST_NAME AND
EMP_ID AND
COMPUTE D_EMP_ID/D12.2 = ATODBL(EMP_ID, '09', D_EMP_ID);
WHERE DEPARTMENT EQ 'MIS';
END

The output is: 

LAST_NAME FIRST_NAME EMP_ID    D_EMP_ID 
--------- ---------- ------    -------- 
SMITH     MARY       112847612 112,847,612.00 
JONES     DIANE      117593129 117,593,129.00 
MCCOY     JOHN       219984371 219,984,371.00 
BLACKWOOD ROSEMARIE  326179357 326,179,357.00 
GREENSPAN MARY       543729165 543,729,165.00 
CROSS     BARBARA    818692173 818,692,173.00

Example: Converting an Alphanumeric Value to Double-Precision Format With MODIFY

In the following example, the Master File contains the MISSING attribute for the CURR_SAL field. If you do not enter a value for this field, it is interpreted as the default value, a period. 

FILENAME=EMPLOYEE, SUFFIX=FOC
SEGNAME=EMPINFO,  SEGTYPE=S1
 FIELDNAME=EMP_ID,       ALIAS=EID,FORMAT=A9,                 $
    .
    .
    .
 FIELDNAME=CURR_SAL,     ALIAS=CSAL,FORMAT=D12.2M, MISSING=ON,$
    .
    .
    .

ATODBL converts the value supplied for TCSAL to double-precision format: 

MODIFY FILE EMPLOYEE 
COMPUTE TCSAL/A12=; 
PROMPT EID 
MATCH EID  
ON NOMATCH REJECT 
ON MATCH TYPE "EMPLOYEE <D.LAST_NAME <D.FIRST_NAME"  
ON MATCH TYPE "ENTER CURRENT SALARY OR 'N/A' IF NOT AVAILABLE"  
ON MATCH PROMPT TCSAL   
ON MATCH COMPUTE  
CSAL MISSING ON = IF TCSAL EQ 'N/A' THEN MISSING  
                ELSE ATODBL(TCSAL, '12', 'D12.2');  
ON MATCH TYPE "SALARY NOW <CSAL" 
DATA

A sample execution is: 

 EMPLOYEE    ON 11/14/96 AT 13.42.55
 DATA FOR TRANSACTION    1
 EMP_ID      =
071382660
 EMPLOYEE STEVENS ALFRED
 ENTER CURRENT SALARY OR 'N/A' IF NOT AVAILABLE
 TCSAL       =
N/A
 SALARY NOW              .
 DATA FOR TRANSACTION    2
 EMP_ID      =
112847612
 EMPLOYEE SMITH MARY
 ENTER CURRENT SALARY OR 'N/A' IF NOT AVAILABLE 
 TCSAL       =
45000
 SALARY NOW      $45,000.00
 DATA FOR TRANSACTION    3
 EMP_ID      =
end
 TRANSACTIONS:         TOTAL =     2  ACCEPTED=     2  REJECTED=     0
 SEGMENTS:             INPUT =     0  UPDATED =     0  DELETED =     0

The procedure processes as follows:

  1. For the first transaction, the procedure prompts for an employee ID. You enter 071382660.
  2. The procedure displays the last and first name of the employee, STEVENS ALFRED.
  3. The procedure prompts for a current salary. You enter N/A.
  4. A period displays.
  5. For the second transaction, the procedure prompts for an employee ID. You enter 112847612.
  6. The procedure displays the last and first name of the employee, SMITH MARY.
  7. Then it prompts for a current salary. Enter 45000.
  8. $45,000.00 displays.