title: Reading numeric data from delimited files
body: <p>When reading delimited files on SAS, one can set the length of character variables by using <code>length</code> statement. However, one cannot do that with plain numbers, (no commas, no dollar signs, standard data etc.). The only way to set the length of such statements inherently from what I could think of is by using a <code>commaw.</code> informat. Is this plausible, is there a length statement if we wanted to read just plain numbers?</p>
  
  <p>I was also wondering, if I have a piece of data "$105.93", I can read it as <code>dollar3.2</code>. But reading it as <code>dollar12.2</code> doesn't seem to make a difference. Why?</p>
  
  <p>Thank you.</p>