Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!cis.ohio-state.edu!ucbvax!hplabs!hpcc05!hpcc01!drudman
From: drudman@hpcc01.HP.COM (Drew Rudman)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.apple2
Subject: Re: BASIC problem
Message-ID: <1520034@hpcc01.HP.COM>
Date: 25 Jun 91 19:54:26 GMT
References: <1991Jun25.054815.8451@clark.edu>
Organization: HP Corp Computing & Services
Lines: 19

The VAL command converts a string to a numeric value.  You can assign this
conversion or use it in some fashion.  Legal uses of the VAL function include:

	A = VAL(IT$):REM This will assign A with the numeric value of IT$

	PRINT VAL(IT$):REM this will print the numerical value of IT$

If IT$ has a non-numerical first character, the numerical VALue of it will
be zero.  Hence VAL("AB23") = 0 and VAL("1203")=1203.  I believe the function
will convert to numerics until the first non-numerical character is encountered
in the conversion string.  ie VAL("123ABC") = 123.

Using VAL in the way you have shown is improper.  You should get a ?SYNTAX
ERROR when you program encounters the line - I have no idea why it is hanging.

[ Call...              9600bps/60meg ][ Drew Rudman                          ]
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