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

    NAME
         atof - convert 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  unrecog-
         nized 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 fol-
         lowed 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.

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