# System Parameters

'NF' | Period/Comma Conversion to Numeric Variable

## Description

The 'NF' parameter can be enabled when reading data from a file where the decimal point is other than the normal period (.); e.g. when reading European data where the comma is often used as the decimal point. Enabling this parameter will cause the system to treat whatever character is defined as the decimal point ('DP' system parameter) as the decimal point when converting the data from the file to internal numeric values.

Setting this applies to all READ/FIND directives, regardless of the type of file from which they come.

Applies only to the READ, FIND, EXTRACT, SELECT and READ DATA FROM directives, as these all use common field parsing logic.

#### Note:
Setting this parameter does not apply to user input or to the NUM function.

## Default

Off -- Only the period (.) will be considered as a decimal point when processing a READ, FIND, SELECT or READ DATA directive.

## See Also

'DP' Decimal Point Symbol
READ Read Data from File
FIND Locate and Read Data
EXTRACT Read and Lock Data
SELECT Select/Query From ... Where
READ DATA FROM Read Data from Program