diff --git a/src/ASPHERE/pair_gayberne.cpp b/src/ASPHERE/pair_gayberne.cpp
index b394a3a3b6..4d986a16fa 100755
--- a/src/ASPHERE/pair_gayberne.cpp
+++ b/src/ASPHERE/pair_gayberne.cpp
@@ -259,10 +259,10 @@ void PairGayBerne::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 4) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  gamma = atof(arg[0]);
-  upsilon = atof(arg[1])/2.0;
-  mu = atof(arg[2]);
-  cut_global = atof(arg[3]);
+  gamma = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  upsilon = force->numeric(arg[1])/2.0;
+  mu = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -288,17 +288,17 @@ void PairGayBerne::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double eia_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  double eib_one = atof(arg[5]);
-  double eic_one = atof(arg[6]);
-  double eja_one = atof(arg[7]);
-  double ejb_one = atof(arg[8]);
-  double ejc_one = atof(arg[9]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double eia_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  double eib_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+  double eic_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
+  double eja_one = force->numeric(arg[7]);
+  double ejb_one = force->numeric(arg[8]);
+  double ejc_one = force->numeric(arg[9]);
   
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 11) cut_one = atof(arg[10]);
+  if (narg == 11) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[10]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/ASPHERE/pair_resquared.cpp b/src/ASPHERE/pair_resquared.cpp
index 44adcf7d54..2f12d864d3 100755
--- a/src/ASPHERE/pair_resquared.cpp
+++ b/src/ASPHERE/pair_resquared.cpp
@@ -251,7 +251,7 @@ void PairRESquared::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -277,17 +277,17 @@ void PairRESquared::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double eia_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  double eib_one = atof(arg[5]);
-  double eic_one = atof(arg[6]);
-  double eja_one = atof(arg[7]);
-  double ejb_one = atof(arg[8]);
-  double ejc_one = atof(arg[9]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double eia_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  double eib_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+  double eic_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
+  double eja_one = force->numeric(arg[7]);
+  double ejb_one = force->numeric(arg[8]);
+  double ejc_one = force->numeric(arg[9]);
   
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 11) cut_one = atof(arg[10]);
+  if (narg == 11) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[10]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/CLASS2/angle_class2.cpp b/src/CLASS2/angle_class2.cpp
index 0db607e8a9..c72f34685c 100644
--- a/src/CLASS2/angle_class2.cpp
+++ b/src/CLASS2/angle_class2.cpp
@@ -278,10 +278,10 @@ void AngleClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 0) {
     if (narg != 5) error->all("Incorrect args for angle coefficients");
 
-    double theta0_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double k2_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double k3_one = atof(arg[3]);
-    double k4_one = atof(arg[4]);
+    double theta0_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double k2_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double k3_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+    double k4_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
     
     // convert theta0 from degrees to radians
 
@@ -298,9 +298,9 @@ void AngleClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 1) {
     if (narg != 4) error->all("Incorrect args for angle coefficients");
 
-    double bb_k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double bb_r1_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double bb_r2_one = atof(arg[3]);
+    double bb_k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double bb_r1_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double bb_r2_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
     
     for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
       bb_k[i] = bb_k_one;
@@ -314,10 +314,10 @@ void AngleClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 2) {
     if (narg != 5) error->all("Incorrect args for angle coefficients");
 
-    double ba_k1_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double ba_k2_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double ba_r1_one = atof(arg[3]);
-    double ba_r2_one = atof(arg[4]);
+    double ba_k1_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double ba_k2_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double ba_r1_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+    double ba_r2_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
     
     for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
       ba_k1[i] = ba_k1_one;
diff --git a/src/CLASS2/bond_class2.cpp b/src/CLASS2/bond_class2.cpp
index 0f86c15ce6..7bdce47522 100644
--- a/src/CLASS2/bond_class2.cpp
+++ b/src/CLASS2/bond_class2.cpp
@@ -135,10 +135,10 @@ void BondClass2::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nbondtypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double r0_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double k2_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double k3_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double k4_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double r0_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double k2_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double k3_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double k4_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/CLASS2/dihedral_class2.cpp b/src/CLASS2/dihedral_class2.cpp
index 529c7801af..36e826a339 100644
--- a/src/CLASS2/dihedral_class2.cpp
+++ b/src/CLASS2/dihedral_class2.cpp
@@ -666,12 +666,12 @@ void DihedralClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 0) {
     if (narg != 7) error->all("Incorrect args for dihedral coefficients");
 
-    double k1_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double phi1_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double k2_one = atof(arg[3]);
-    double phi2_one = atof(arg[4]);
-    double k3_one = atof(arg[5]);
-    double phi3_one = atof(arg[6]);
+    double k1_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double phi1_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double k2_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+    double phi2_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+    double k3_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+    double phi3_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
     
     // convert phi's from degrees to radians
 
@@ -690,10 +690,10 @@ void DihedralClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 1) {
     if (narg != 5) error->all("Incorrect args for dihedral coefficients");
 
-    double f1_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double f2_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double f3_one = atof(arg[3]);
-    double r0_one = atof(arg[4]);
+    double f1_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double f2_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double f3_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+    double r0_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
     
     for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
       mbt_f1[i] = f1_one;
@@ -708,14 +708,14 @@ void DihedralClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 2) {
     if (narg != 9) error->all("Incorrect args for dihedral coefficients");
 
-    double f1_1_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double f2_1_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double f3_1_one = atof(arg[3]);
-    double f1_2_one = atof(arg[4]);
-    double f2_2_one = atof(arg[5]);
-    double f3_2_one = atof(arg[6]);
-    double r0_1_one = atof(arg[7]);
-    double r0_2_one = atof(arg[8]);
+    double f1_1_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double f2_1_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double f3_1_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+    double f1_2_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+    double f2_2_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+    double f3_2_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
+    double r0_1_one = force->numeric(arg[7]);
+    double r0_2_one = force->numeric(arg[8]);
     
     for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
       ebt_f1_1[i] = f1_1_one;
@@ -734,14 +734,14 @@ void DihedralClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 3) {
     if (narg != 9) error->all("Incorrect args for dihedral coefficients");
 
-    double f1_1_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double f2_1_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double f3_1_one = atof(arg[3]);
-    double f1_2_one = atof(arg[4]);
-    double f2_2_one = atof(arg[5]);
-    double f3_2_one = atof(arg[6]);
-    double theta0_1_one = atof(arg[7]);
-    double theta0_2_one = atof(arg[8]);
+    double f1_1_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double f2_1_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double f3_1_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+    double f1_2_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+    double f2_2_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+    double f3_2_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
+    double theta0_1_one = force->numeric(arg[7]);
+    double theta0_2_one = force->numeric(arg[8]);
 
     // convert theta0's from degrees to radians
     
@@ -762,9 +762,9 @@ void DihedralClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 4) {
     if (narg != 4) error->all("Incorrect args for dihedral coefficients");
 
-    double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double theta0_1_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double theta0_2_one = atof(arg[3]);
+    double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double theta0_1_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double theta0_2_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
     // convert theta0's from degrees to radians
     
@@ -780,9 +780,9 @@ void DihedralClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 5) {
     if (narg != 4) error->all("Incorrect args for dihedral coefficients");
 
-    double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double r10_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double r30_one = atof(arg[3]);
+    double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double r10_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double r30_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
     
     for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
       bb13t_k[i] = k_one;
diff --git a/src/CLASS2/improper_class2.cpp b/src/CLASS2/improper_class2.cpp
index 151162797c..1f02b25500 100644
--- a/src/CLASS2/improper_class2.cpp
+++ b/src/CLASS2/improper_class2.cpp
@@ -540,8 +540,8 @@ void ImproperClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 0) {
     if (narg != 3) error->all("Incorrect args for improper coefficients");
 
-    double k0_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double chi0_one = atof(arg[2]);
+    double k0_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double chi0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
 
     // convert chi0 from degrees to radians
 
@@ -556,12 +556,12 @@ void ImproperClass2::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   if (which == 1) {
     if (narg != 7) error->all("Incorrect args for improper coefficients");
 
-    double k1_one = atof(arg[1]);
-    double k2_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    double k3_one = atof(arg[3]);
-    double theta0_1_one = atof(arg[4]);
-    double theta0_2_one = atof(arg[5]);
-    double theta0_3_one = atof(arg[6]);
+    double k1_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+    double k2_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    double k3_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+    double theta0_1_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+    double theta0_2_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+    double theta0_3_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
     
     // convert theta0's from degrees to radians
 
diff --git a/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2.cpp b/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2.cpp
index 2c0770fbd6..77c66200d1 100644
--- a/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2.cpp
+++ b/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2.cpp
@@ -168,7 +168,7 @@ void PairLJClass2::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -193,11 +193,11 @@ void PairLJClass2::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 5) cut_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 5) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2_coul_cut.cpp b/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2_coul_cut.cpp
index 62ccda5082..b6a16883c1 100644
--- a/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2_coul_cut.cpp
+++ b/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2_coul_cut.cpp
@@ -194,9 +194,9 @@ void PairLJClass2CoulCut::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg < 1 || narg > 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (narg == 1) cut_coul_global = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  else cut_coul_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -224,13 +224,13 @@ void PairLJClass2CoulCut::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
   double cut_coul_one = cut_coul_global;
-  if (narg >= 5) cut_coul_one = cut_lj_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  if (narg == 6) cut_coul_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  if (narg >= 5) cut_coul_one = cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 6) cut_coul_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2_coul_long.cpp b/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2_coul_long.cpp
index 6412e2160c..a7434e7b7a 100644
--- a/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2_coul_long.cpp
+++ b/src/CLASS2/pair_lj_class2_coul_long.cpp
@@ -209,9 +209,9 @@ void PairLJClass2CoulLong::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg < 1 || narg > 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (narg == 1) cut_coul = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul = atof(arg[1]);
+  else cut_coul = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -236,11 +236,11 @@ void PairLJClass2CoulLong::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
  double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
- if (narg == 5) cut_lj_one = atof(arg[4]);
+ if (narg == 5) cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/COLLOID/pair_colloid.cpp b/src/COLLOID/pair_colloid.cpp
index 8d119b046b..e9e4bfdd2d 100644
--- a/src/COLLOID/pair_colloid.cpp
+++ b/src/COLLOID/pair_colloid.cpp
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ void PairColloid::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -274,13 +274,13 @@ void PairColloid::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double a12_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double d1_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  double d2_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  double a12_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double d1_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  double d2_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 7) cut_one = atof(arg[6]);
+  if (narg == 7) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
 
   if (d1_one < 0.0 || d2_one < 0.0) 
     error->all("Invalid d1 or d2 value for pair colloid coeff");
diff --git a/src/COLLOID/pair_lubricate.cpp b/src/COLLOID/pair_lubricate.cpp
index 7fe40b3a41..2fc43fa4d7 100644
--- a/src/COLLOID/pair_lubricate.cpp
+++ b/src/COLLOID/pair_lubricate.cpp
@@ -320,18 +320,19 @@ void PairLubricate::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 9) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  mu = atof(arg[0]);
-  flag1 = atoi(arg[1]);
-  flag2 = atoi(arg[2]);
-  flag3 = atoi(arg[3]);
-  flag4 = atoi(arg[4]);
-  cut_inner_global = atof(arg[5]);
-  cut_global = atof(arg[6]);
-  t_target = atof(arg[7]);
-  seed = atoi(arg[8]);
+  mu = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  flag1 = force->inumeric(arg[1]);
+  flag2 = force->inumeric(arg[2]);
+  flag3 = force->inumeric(arg[3]);
+  flag4 = force->inumeric(arg[4]);
+  cut_inner_global = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[6]);
+  t_target = force->numeric(arg[7]);
+  seed = force->inumeric(arg[8]);
 
   // initialize Marsaglia RNG with processor-unique seed
 
+  if (seed <= 0) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
   delete random;
   random = new RanMars(lmp,seed + comm->me);
 
@@ -366,8 +367,8 @@ void PairLubricate::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   double cut_inner_one = cut_inner_global;
   double cut_one = cut_global;
   if (narg == 4) {
-    cut_inner_one = atof(arg[2]);
-    cut_one = atof(arg[3]);
+    cut_inner_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    cut_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   }
 
   int count = 0;
diff --git a/src/DIPOLE/pair_dipole_cut.cpp b/src/DIPOLE/pair_dipole_cut.cpp
index 98d02f3f99..9fb570804b 100644
--- a/src/DIPOLE/pair_dipole_cut.cpp
+++ b/src/DIPOLE/pair_dipole_cut.cpp
@@ -302,9 +302,9 @@ void PairDipoleCut::settings(int narg, char **arg)
   if (narg < 1 || narg > 2)
     error->all("Incorrect args in pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (narg == 1) cut_coul_global = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  else cut_coul_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -333,13 +333,13 @@ void PairDipoleCut::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
   double cut_coul_one = cut_coul_global;
-  if (narg >= 5) cut_coul_one = cut_lj_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  if (narg == 6) cut_coul_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  if (narg >= 5) cut_coul_one = cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 6) cut_coul_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/DPD/pair_dpd.cpp b/src/DPD/pair_dpd.cpp
index 0d88ae8db1..658bffa974 100644
--- a/src/DPD/pair_dpd.cpp
+++ b/src/DPD/pair_dpd.cpp
@@ -192,14 +192,14 @@ void PairDPD::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 3) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  temperature = atof(arg[0]);
-  cut_global = atof(arg[1]);
-  seed = atoi(arg[2]);
+  temperature = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  seed = force->inumeric(arg[2]);
 
   // initialize Marsaglia RNG with processor-unique seed
 
-  if (seed <= 0) error->all("Illegal fix pair_style command");
-  if (random) delete random;
+  if (seed <= 0) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
+  delete random;
   random = new RanMars(lmp,seed + comm->me);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
@@ -225,11 +225,11 @@ void PairDPD::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double a0_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double gamma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double a0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double gamma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 5) cut_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 5) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/GRANULAR/pair_gran_hertz_history.cpp b/src/GRANULAR/pair_gran_hertz_history.cpp
index a93dd9eb0b..7d6235d49a 100644
--- a/src/GRANULAR/pair_gran_hertz_history.cpp
+++ b/src/GRANULAR/pair_gran_hertz_history.cpp
@@ -251,16 +251,16 @@ void PairGranHertzHistory::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 6) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  kn = atof(arg[0]);
+  kn = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (strcmp(arg[1],"NULL") == 0) kt = kn * 2.0/7.0;
-  else kt = atof(arg[1]);
+  else kt = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
-  gamman = atof(arg[2]);
+  gamman = force->numeric(arg[2]);
   if (strcmp(arg[3],"NULL") == 0) gammat = 0.5 * gamman;
-  else gammat = atof(arg[3]);
+  else gammat = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
-  xmu = atof(arg[4]);
-  dampflag = atoi(arg[5]);
+  xmu = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  dampflag = force->inumeric(arg[5]);
   if (dampflag == 0) gammat = 0.0;
 
   if (kn < 0.0 || kt < 0.0 || gamman < 0.0 || gammat < 0.0 || 
diff --git a/src/GRANULAR/pair_gran_hooke_history.cpp b/src/GRANULAR/pair_gran_hooke_history.cpp
index 6d2164a67e..c7dbf15fd9 100644
--- a/src/GRANULAR/pair_gran_hooke_history.cpp
+++ b/src/GRANULAR/pair_gran_hooke_history.cpp
@@ -290,16 +290,16 @@ void PairGranHookeHistory::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 6) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  kn = atof(arg[0]);
+  kn = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (strcmp(arg[1],"NULL") == 0) kt = kn * 2.0/7.0;
-  else kt = atof(arg[1]);
+  else kt = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
-  gamman = atof(arg[2]);
+  gamman = force->numeric(arg[2]);
   if (strcmp(arg[3],"NULL") == 0) gammat = 0.5 * gamman;
-  else gammat = atof(arg[3]);
+  else gammat = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
-  xmu = atof(arg[4]);
-  dampflag = atoi(arg[5]);
+  xmu = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  dampflag = force->inumeric(arg[5]);
   if (dampflag == 0) gammat = 0.0;
 
   if (kn < 0.0 || kt < 0.0 || gamman < 0.0 || gammat < 0.0 || 
diff --git a/src/KSPACE/pair_born_coul_long.cpp b/src/KSPACE/pair_born_coul_long.cpp
index edbe1a771c..ad45200000 100644
--- a/src/KSPACE/pair_born_coul_long.cpp
+++ b/src/KSPACE/pair_born_coul_long.cpp
@@ -220,9 +220,9 @@ void PairBornCoulLong::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg < 1 || narg > 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (narg == 1) cut_coul = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul = atof(arg[1]);
+  else cut_coul = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -247,15 +247,15 @@ void PairBornCoulLong::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double a_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double rho_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double a_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double rho_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
   if (rho_one <= 0) error->all("Incorrect args for pair coefficients");
-  double c_one = atof(arg[5]);
-  double d_one = atof(arg[6]);
+  double c_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+  double d_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
 
   double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
-  if (narg == 8) cut_lj_one = atof(arg[7]);
+  if (narg == 8) cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[7]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/KSPACE/pair_buck_coul_long.cpp b/src/KSPACE/pair_buck_coul_long.cpp
index 67839465a0..f68d2b8675 100644
--- a/src/KSPACE/pair_buck_coul_long.cpp
+++ b/src/KSPACE/pair_buck_coul_long.cpp
@@ -209,9 +209,9 @@ void PairBuckCoulLong::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg < 1 || narg > 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (narg == 1) cut_coul = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul = atof(arg[1]);
+  else cut_coul = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -236,13 +236,13 @@ void PairBuckCoulLong::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double a_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double rho_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double a_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double rho_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   if (rho_one <= 0) error->all("Incorrect args for pair coefficients");
-  double c_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double c_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
-  if (narg == 6) cut_lj_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  if (narg == 6) cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/KSPACE/pair_coul_long.cpp b/src/KSPACE/pair_coul_long.cpp
index 7010655fd4..607d55e5cb 100644
--- a/src/KSPACE/pair_coul_long.cpp
+++ b/src/KSPACE/pair_coul_long.cpp
@@ -198,7 +198,7 @@ void PairCoulLong::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_coul = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_coul = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
diff --git a/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_charmm_coul_long.cpp b/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_charmm_coul_long.cpp
index e41f3805dd..e5d5a3fcb8 100644
--- a/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_charmm_coul_long.cpp
+++ b/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_charmm_coul_long.cpp
@@ -673,10 +673,10 @@ void PairLJCharmmCoulLong::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 2 && narg != 3) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_inner = atof(arg[0]);
-  cut_lj = atof(arg[1]);
+  cut_lj_inner = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj = force->numeric(arg[1]);
   if (narg == 2) cut_coul = cut_lj;
-  else cut_coul = atof(arg[2]);
+  else cut_coul = force->numeric(arg[2]);
 }
 
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
@@ -692,13 +692,13 @@ void PairLJCharmmCoulLong::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   double eps14_one = epsilon_one;
   double sigma14_one = sigma_one;
   if (narg == 6) {
-    eps14_one = atof(arg[4]);
-    sigma14_one = atof(arg[5]);
+    eps14_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+    sigma14_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
   }
 
   int count = 0;
diff --git a/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_cut_coul_long.cpp b/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_cut_coul_long.cpp
index a40f0129ae..3bd88adc77 100644
--- a/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_cut_coul_long.cpp
+++ b/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_cut_coul_long.cpp
@@ -613,9 +613,9 @@ void PairLJCutCoulLong::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
  if (narg < 1 || narg > 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (narg == 1) cut_coul = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul = atof(arg[1]);
+  else cut_coul = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -640,11 +640,11 @@ void PairLJCutCoulLong::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
-  if (narg == 5) cut_lj_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 5) cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_cut_coul_long_tip4p.cpp b/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_cut_coul_long_tip4p.cpp
index abf1798f6d..68e36d4ad7 100644
--- a/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_cut_coul_long_tip4p.cpp
+++ b/src/KSPACE/pair_lj_cut_coul_long_tip4p.cpp
@@ -362,15 +362,15 @@ void PairLJCutCoulLongTIP4P::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg < 6 || narg > 7) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  typeO = atoi(arg[0]);
-  typeH = atoi(arg[1]);
-  typeB = atoi(arg[2]);
-  typeA = atoi(arg[3]);
-  qdist = atof(arg[4]);
+  typeO = force->inumeric(arg[0]);
+  typeH = force->inumeric(arg[1]);
+  typeB = force->inumeric(arg[2]);
+  typeA = force->inumeric(arg[3]);
+  qdist = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[5]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[5]);
   if (narg == 6) cut_coul = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul = atof(arg[6]);
+  else cut_coul = force->numeric(arg[6]);
   
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
diff --git a/src/MANYBODY/pair_airebo.cpp b/src/MANYBODY/pair_airebo.cpp
index 5c23372596..72a44983e5 100644
--- a/src/MANYBODY/pair_airebo.cpp
+++ b/src/MANYBODY/pair_airebo.cpp
@@ -135,12 +135,12 @@ void PairAIREBO::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1 && narg != 3) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cutlj = atof(arg[0]);
+  cutlj = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 
   ljflag = torflag = 1;
   if (narg == 3) {
-    ljflag = atoi(arg[1]);
-    torflag = atoi(arg[2]);
+    ljflag = force->inumeric(arg[1]);
+    torflag = force->inumeric(arg[2]);
   }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/angle_charmm.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/angle_charmm.cpp
index 42602a8f41..981cfd67df 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/angle_charmm.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/angle_charmm.cpp
@@ -200,10 +200,10 @@ void AngleCharmm::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nangletypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double theta0_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double k_ub_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double r_ub_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double theta0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double k_ub_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double r_ub_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   // convert theta0 from degrees to radians
 
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/angle_cosine.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/angle_cosine.cpp
index 38f4e0d654..8b44138ae2 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/angle_cosine.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/angle_cosine.cpp
@@ -159,7 +159,7 @@ void AngleCosine::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nangletypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/angle_cosine_squared.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/angle_cosine_squared.cpp
index d31e973c90..174a4c5baf 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/angle_cosine_squared.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/angle_cosine_squared.cpp
@@ -171,8 +171,8 @@ void AngleCosineSquared::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nangletypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double theta0_one = atof(arg[2]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double theta0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
 
   // convert theta0 from degrees to radians
 
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/angle_harmonic.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/angle_harmonic.cpp
index 86a438a933..c3e54788dc 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/angle_harmonic.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/angle_harmonic.cpp
@@ -171,8 +171,8 @@ void AngleHarmonic::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nangletypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double theta0_one = atof(arg[2]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double theta0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
 
   // convert theta0 from degrees to radians
 
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/bond_fene.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/bond_fene.cpp
index 3f8dc4aa8d..baa147a234 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/bond_fene.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/bond_fene.cpp
@@ -156,10 +156,10 @@ void BondFENE::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nbondtypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double r0_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double r0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/bond_fene_expand.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/bond_fene_expand.cpp
index 75286a764f..44a9aba998 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/bond_fene_expand.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/bond_fene_expand.cpp
@@ -162,11 +162,11 @@ void BondFENEExpand::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nbondtypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double r0_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  double shift_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double r0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  double shift_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/bond_harmonic.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/bond_harmonic.cpp
index 1921f5b3a9..0664fdb309 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/bond_harmonic.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/bond_harmonic.cpp
@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ void BondHarmonic::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nbondtypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double r0_one = atof(arg[2]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double r0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/bond_morse.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/bond_morse.cpp
index 9accf9a89c..aba216ea2a 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/bond_morse.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/bond_morse.cpp
@@ -129,9 +129,9 @@ void BondMorse::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nbondtypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double d0_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double alpha_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double r0_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double d0_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double alpha_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double r0_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/bond_nonlinear.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/bond_nonlinear.cpp
index b6843333c6..79ed881812 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/bond_nonlinear.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/bond_nonlinear.cpp
@@ -126,9 +126,9 @@ void BondNonlinear::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nbondtypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double r0_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double lamda_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double r0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double lamda_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/bond_quartic.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/bond_quartic.cpp
index d540d54a01..245ea7ba88 100755
--- a/src/MOLECULE/bond_quartic.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/bond_quartic.cpp
@@ -206,11 +206,11 @@ void BondQuartic::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nbondtypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double b1_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double b2_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double rc_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  double u0_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double b1_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double b2_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double rc_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  double u0_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_charmm.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_charmm.cpp
index 92becc6e49..183ee4f1d4 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_charmm.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_charmm.cpp
@@ -338,10 +338,10 @@ void DihedralCharmm::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   // arbitrary phase angle shift could be allowed, but would break
   //   backwards compatibility and is probably not needed
   
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  int multiplicity_one = atoi(arg[2]);
-  int shift_one = atoi(arg[3]);
-  double weight_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  int multiplicity_one = force->inumeric(arg[2]);
+  int shift_one = force->inumeric(arg[3]);
+  double weight_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   if (multiplicity_one < 0)
     error->all("Incorrect multiplicity arg for dihedral coefficients");
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_harmonic.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_harmonic.cpp
index 807c7066fa..67a7e50e30 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_harmonic.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_harmonic.cpp
@@ -281,9 +281,9 @@ void DihedralHarmonic::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ndihedraltypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  int sign_one = atoi(arg[2]);
-  int multiplicity_one = atoi(arg[3]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  int sign_one = force->inumeric(arg[2]);
+  int multiplicity_one = force->inumeric(arg[3]);
 
   // require sign = +/- 1 for backwards compatibility
   // arbitrary phase angle shift could be allowed, but would break
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_helix.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_helix.cpp
index 707b5ec725..b45e956f67 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_helix.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_helix.cpp
@@ -290,9 +290,9 @@ void DihedralHelix::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ndihedraltypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double aphi_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double bphi_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double cphi_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double aphi_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double bphi_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double cphi_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_multi_harmonic.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_multi_harmonic.cpp
index c67cf09450..470bebc9cc 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_multi_harmonic.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_multi_harmonic.cpp
@@ -279,11 +279,11 @@ void DihedralMultiHarmonic::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ndihedraltypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double a1_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double a2_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double a3_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double a4_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  double a5_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  double a1_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double a2_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double a3_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double a4_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  double a5_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_opls.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_opls.cpp
index c2ffbe25a9..68c23dcf47 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_opls.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/dihedral_opls.cpp
@@ -292,10 +292,10 @@ void DihedralOPLS::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ndihedraltypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k1_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double k2_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double k3_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double k4_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double k1_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double k2_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double k3_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double k4_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   // store 1/2 factor with prefactor
 
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/improper_cvff.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/improper_cvff.cpp
index b464a3ddaa..09d16071d9 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/improper_cvff.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/improper_cvff.cpp
@@ -301,9 +301,9 @@ void ImproperCvff::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nimpropertypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  int sign_one = atoi(arg[2]);
-  int multiplicity_one = atoi(arg[3]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  int sign_one = force->inumeric(arg[2]);
+  int multiplicity_one = force->inumeric(arg[3]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/improper_harmonic.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/improper_harmonic.cpp
index 8de0e7f24d..b7eb2b9190 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/improper_harmonic.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/improper_harmonic.cpp
@@ -239,8 +239,8 @@ void ImproperHarmonic::coeff(int which, int narg, char **arg)
   int ilo,ihi;
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->nimpropertypes,ilo,ihi);
 
-  double k_one = atof(arg[1]);
-  double chi_one = atof(arg[2]);
+  double k_one = force->numeric(arg[1]);
+  double chi_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
 
   // convert chi from degrees to radians
 
diff --git a/src/MOLECULE/pair_lj_charmm_coul_charmm.cpp b/src/MOLECULE/pair_lj_charmm_coul_charmm.cpp
index f4e1e45bcb..c54732fd2e 100644
--- a/src/MOLECULE/pair_lj_charmm_coul_charmm.cpp
+++ b/src/MOLECULE/pair_lj_charmm_coul_charmm.cpp
@@ -231,14 +231,14 @@ void PairLJCharmmCoulCharmm::settings(int narg, char **arg)
   if (narg != 2 && narg != 4) 
     error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_inner = atof(arg[0]);
-  cut_lj = atof(arg[1]);
+  cut_lj_inner = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj = force->numeric(arg[1]);
   if (narg == 2) {
     cut_coul_inner = cut_lj_inner;
     cut_coul = cut_lj;
   } else {
-    cut_coul_inner = atof(arg[2]);
-    cut_coul = atof(arg[3]);
+    cut_coul_inner = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    cut_coul = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   }
 }
 
@@ -256,13 +256,13 @@ void PairLJCharmmCoulCharmm::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   double eps14_one = epsilon_one;
   double sigma14_one = sigma_one;
   if (narg == 6) {
-    eps14_one = atof(arg[4]);
-    sigma14_one = atof(arg[5]);
+    eps14_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+    sigma14_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
   }
 
   int count = 0;
diff --git a/src/Makefile b/src/Makefile
index 29dcf7d4a4..f84ef210f5 100755
--- a/src/Makefile
+++ b/src/Makefile
@@ -171,4 +171,4 @@ package-update:
 package-overwrite:
 	@for p in $(PACKAGEUC); do csh -f Package.csh $$p overwrite; done
 	@echo ''
-	@for p in $(PACKUSERUC); do csh -f Package.csh $$p overwrite
+	@for p in $(PACKUSERUC); do csh -f Package.csh $$p overwrite; done
diff --git a/src/PERI/pair_peri_pmb.cpp b/src/PERI/pair_peri_pmb.cpp
index 0ba483e60d..060c8e5900 100644
--- a/src/PERI/pair_peri_pmb.cpp
+++ b/src/PERI/pair_peri_pmb.cpp
@@ -322,10 +322,10 @@ void PairPeriPMB::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double kspring_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double cut_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double s00_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  double alpha_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  double kspring_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double cut_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double s00_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  double alpha_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/REAX/pair_reax.cpp b/src/REAX/pair_reax.cpp
index ce0ddf7cfd..c14291f988 100644
--- a/src/REAX/pair_reax.cpp
+++ b/src/REAX/pair_reax.cpp
@@ -458,8 +458,8 @@ void PairREAX::settings(int narg, char **arg)
   if (narg != 0 && narg !=2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
   
   if (narg == 2) {
-    hbcut = atof(arg[0]);
-    precision = atof(arg[1]);
+    hbcut = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+    precision = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
     if (hbcut <= 0.0 || precision <= 0.0)
       error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
@@ -495,7 +495,7 @@ void PairREAX::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
       map[i-2] = -1;
       continue;
     }
-    map[i-2] = atoi(arg[i]);
+    map[i-2] = force->inumeric(arg[i]);
   }
 
   int n = atom->ntypes;
diff --git a/src/USER-CG-CMM/pair_cmm_common.cpp b/src/USER-CG-CMM/pair_cmm_common.cpp
index ba9b55f7ed..2108aa8903 100644
--- a/src/USER-CG-CMM/pair_cmm_common.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-CG-CMM/pair_cmm_common.cpp
@@ -102,13 +102,13 @@ void PairCMMCommon::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if ((narg < 1) || (narg > 3)) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (narg == 1) cut_coul_global = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  else cut_coul_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
   cut_coulsq_global = cut_coul_global*cut_coul_global;
   
   // exponential coulomb screening (optional)
-  if (narg == 3) kappa = atof(arg[2]);
+  if (narg == 3) kappa = force->numeric(arg[2]);
   if (fabs(kappa) < SMALL) kappa=0.0;
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
@@ -145,13 +145,13 @@ void PairCMMCommon::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   int cg_type_one=find_cg_type(arg[2]);
   if (cg_type_one == CG_NOT_SET) error->all("Error reading CG type flag.");
   
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
   double cut_coul_one = cut_coul_global;
-  if (narg >= 6) cut_lj_one = atof(arg[5]);
-  if (narg == 7) cut_coul_one = atof(arg[6]);
+  if (narg >= 6) cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+  if (narg == 7) cut_coul_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/USER-EWALDN/pair_buck_coul.cpp b/src/USER-EWALDN/pair_buck_coul.cpp
index 32eb259f69..6562731f61 100644
--- a/src/USER-EWALDN/pair_buck_coul.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-EWALDN/pair_buck_coul.cpp
@@ -95,9 +95,9 @@ void PairBuckCoul::settings(int narg, char **arg)
   if (!*(++arg)) error->all(PAIR_MISSING);
   if (ewald_off&(1<<6)) error->all(PAIR_LJ_OFF);
   if (!((ewald_order^ewald_off)&(1<<1))) error->all(PAIR_COUL_CUT);
-  cut_buck_global = atof(*(arg++));
+  cut_buck_global = force->numeric(*(arg++));
   if (*arg&&(ewald_order&0x42==0x42)) error->all(PAIR_CUTOFF);
-  cut_coul = *arg ? atof(*(arg++)) : cut_buck_global;
+  cut_coul = *arg ? force->numeric(*(arg++)) : cut_buck_global;
   if (*arg) error->all(PAIR_MANY);
 
   if (allocated) {					// reset explicit cuts
@@ -196,12 +196,12 @@ void PairBuckCoul::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(*(arg++),atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(*(arg++),atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double buck_a_one = atof(*(arg++));
-  double buck_rho_one = atof(*(arg++));
-  double buck_c_one = atof(*(arg++));
+  double buck_a_one = force->numeric(*(arg++));
+  double buck_rho_one = force->numeric(*(arg++));
+  double buck_c_one = force->numeric(*(arg++));
 
   double cut_buck_one = cut_buck_global;
-  if (narg == 6) cut_buck_one = atof(*(arg++));
+  if (narg == 6) cut_buck_one = force->numeric(*(arg++));
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/USER-EWALDN/pair_lj_coul.cpp b/src/USER-EWALDN/pair_lj_coul.cpp
index 621a437a32..f881e0fff2 100644
--- a/src/USER-EWALDN/pair_lj_coul.cpp
+++ b/src/USER-EWALDN/pair_lj_coul.cpp
@@ -93,9 +93,9 @@ void PairLJCoul::settings(int narg, char **arg)
   if (!comm->me && ewald_order==((1<<1)|(1<<6))) error->warning(PAIR_LARGEST);
   if (!*(++arg)) error->all(PAIR_MISSING);
   if (!((ewald_order^ewald_off)&(1<<1))) error->all(PAIR_COUL_CUT);
-  cut_lj_global = atof(*(arg++));
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(*(arg++));
   if (*arg&&(ewald_order&0x42==0x42)) error->all(PAIR_CUTOFF);
-  cut_coul = *arg ? atof(*(arg++)) : cut_lj_global;
+  cut_coul = *arg ? force->numeric(*(arg++)) : cut_lj_global;
   if (*arg) error->all(PAIR_MANY);
 
   if (allocated) {					// reset explicit cuts
@@ -192,11 +192,11 @@ void PairLJCoul::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
-  if (narg == 5) cut_lj_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 5) cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/force.cpp b/src/force.cpp
index e04206eaf1..59e2679513 100644
--- a/src/force.cpp
+++ b/src/force.cpp
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@
 
 #include "stdlib.h"
 #include "string.h"
+#include "ctype.h"
 #include "force.h"
 #include "atom.h"
 #include "comm.h"
@@ -460,6 +461,42 @@ void Force::bounds(char *str, int nmax, int &nlo, int &nhi)
   }
 }
 
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+   read a floating point value from a string
+   generate an error if not a legitimate floating point value
+   called by force fields to check validity of their arguments
+------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+double Force::numeric(char *str)
+{
+  int n = strlen(str);
+  for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
+    if (isdigit(str[i])) continue;
+    if (str[i] == '-' || str[i] == '.') continue;
+    if (str[i] == 'e' || str[i] == 'E') continue;
+    error->all("Expecting floating point argument in input script");
+  }
+
+  return atof(str);
+}
+
+/* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
+   read an integer value from a string
+   generate an error if not a legitimate integer value
+   called by force fields to check validity of their arguments
+------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
+
+int Force::inumeric(char *str)
+{
+  int n = strlen(str);
+  for (int i = 0; i < n; i++) {
+    if (isdigit(str[i]) || str[i] == '-') continue;
+    error->all("Expecting integer argument in input script");
+  }
+
+  return atoi(str);
+}
+
 /* ----------------------------------------------------------------------
    memory usage of force classes
 ------------------------------------------------------------------------- */
diff --git a/src/force.h b/src/force.h
index 82a0ff9326..dda72c92d7 100644
--- a/src/force.h
+++ b/src/force.h
@@ -82,6 +82,8 @@ class Force : protected Pointers {
 
   void set_special(int, char **);
   void bounds(char *, int, int &, int &);
+  double numeric(char *);
+  int inumeric(char *);
   double memory_usage();
 };
 
diff --git a/src/pair_buck.cpp b/src/pair_buck.cpp
index 4a9512610a..875a749d47 100644
--- a/src/pair_buck.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_buck.cpp
@@ -169,7 +169,7 @@ void PairBuck::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -194,13 +194,13 @@ void PairBuck::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double a_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double rho_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double a_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double rho_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   if (rho_one <= 0) error->all("Incorrect args for pair coefficients");
-  double c_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double c_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 6) cut_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  if (narg == 6) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/pair_buck_coul_cut.cpp b/src/pair_buck_coul_cut.cpp
index 297e609c38..9bcec376ea 100644
--- a/src/pair_buck_coul_cut.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_buck_coul_cut.cpp
@@ -198,9 +198,9 @@ void PairBuckCoulCut::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg < 1 || narg > 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (narg == 1) cut_coul_global = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  else cut_coul_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -228,15 +228,15 @@ void PairBuckCoulCut::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double a_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double rho_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double a_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double rho_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   if (rho_one <= 0) error->all("Incorrect args for pair coefficients");
-  double c_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double c_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
   double cut_coul_one = cut_coul_global;
-  if (narg >= 6) cut_coul_one = cut_lj_one = atof(arg[5]);
-  if (narg == 7) cut_coul_one = atof(arg[6]);
+  if (narg >= 6) cut_coul_one = cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
+  if (narg == 7) cut_coul_one = force->numeric(arg[6]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/pair_coul_cut.cpp b/src/pair_coul_cut.cpp
index f01c02a011..e0fce1ab40 100644
--- a/src/pair_coul_cut.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_coul_cut.cpp
@@ -153,7 +153,7 @@ void PairCoulCut::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -179,7 +179,7 @@ void PairCoulCut::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 3) cut_one = atof(arg[2]);
+  if (narg == 3) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/pair_coul_debye.cpp b/src/pair_coul_debye.cpp
index 8c25b96a9b..7e3b60ee19 100644
--- a/src/pair_coul_debye.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_coul_debye.cpp
@@ -124,8 +124,8 @@ void PairCoulDebye::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  kappa = atof(arg[0]);
-  cut_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  kappa = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
diff --git a/src/pair_lj_cut.cpp b/src/pair_lj_cut.cpp
index f3fdffbe14..6a13efb7b7 100644
--- a/src/pair_lj_cut.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_lj_cut.cpp
@@ -449,7 +449,7 @@ void PairLJCut::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -474,11 +474,11 @@ void PairLJCut::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 5) cut_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 5) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/pair_lj_cut_coul_cut.cpp b/src/pair_lj_cut_coul_cut.cpp
index 1d293039c0..4cf101a0c4 100644
--- a/src/pair_lj_cut_coul_cut.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_lj_cut_coul_cut.cpp
@@ -192,9 +192,9 @@ void PairLJCutCoulCut::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg < 1 || narg > 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
   if (narg == 1) cut_coul_global = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  else cut_coul_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -222,13 +222,13 @@ void PairLJCutCoulCut::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_lj_one = cut_lj_global;
   double cut_coul_one = cut_coul_global;
-  if (narg >= 5) cut_coul_one = cut_lj_one = atof(arg[4]);
-  if (narg == 6) cut_coul_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  if (narg >= 5) cut_coul_one = cut_lj_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 6) cut_coul_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/pair_lj_cut_coul_debye.cpp b/src/pair_lj_cut_coul_debye.cpp
index 8631b85e9c..e4fb8ce63e 100644
--- a/src/pair_lj_cut_coul_debye.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_lj_cut_coul_debye.cpp
@@ -138,10 +138,10 @@ void PairLJCutCoulDebye::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg < 2 || narg > 3) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  kappa = atof(arg[0]);
-  cut_lj_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  kappa = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
   if (narg == 2) cut_coul_global = cut_lj_global;
-  else cut_coul_global = atof(arg[2]);
+  else cut_coul_global = force->numeric(arg[2]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that were previously set from data file
 
diff --git a/src/pair_lj_expand.cpp b/src/pair_lj_expand.cpp
index d3a50c37e6..6ea9d7692e 100644
--- a/src/pair_lj_expand.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_lj_expand.cpp
@@ -172,7 +172,7 @@ void PairLJExpand::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -197,12 +197,12 @@ void PairLJExpand::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double shift_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double shift_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 6) cut_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  if (narg == 6) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/pair_lj_gromacs.cpp b/src/pair_lj_gromacs.cpp
index f76b7485a4..e7abce6af0 100644
--- a/src/pair_lj_gromacs.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_lj_gromacs.cpp
@@ -196,8 +196,8 @@ void PairLJGromacs::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_inner_global = atof(arg[0]);
-  cut_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  cut_inner_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   if (cut_inner_global <= 0.0 || cut_inner_global > cut_global)
     error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
@@ -229,14 +229,14 @@ void PairLJGromacs::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_inner_one = cut_inner_global;
   double cut_one = cut_global;
   if (narg == 6) {
-    cut_inner_one = atof(arg[4]);
-    cut_one = atof(arg[5]);
+    cut_inner_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+    cut_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
   }
 
   if (cut_inner_one <= 0.0 || cut_inner_one > cut_one)
diff --git a/src/pair_lj_gromacs_coul_gromacs.cpp b/src/pair_lj_gromacs_coul_gromacs.cpp
index d49895a133..c7b51d45aa 100644
--- a/src/pair_lj_gromacs_coul_gromacs.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_lj_gromacs_coul_gromacs.cpp
@@ -224,14 +224,14 @@ void PairLJGromacsCoulGromacs::settings(int narg, char **arg)
   if (narg != 2 && narg != 4) 
     error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_lj_inner = atof(arg[0]);
-  cut_lj = atof(arg[1]);
+  cut_lj_inner = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  cut_lj = force->numeric(arg[1]);
   if (narg == 2) {
     cut_coul_inner = cut_lj_inner;
     cut_coul = cut_lj;
   } else {
-    cut_coul_inner = atof(arg[2]);
-    cut_coul = atof(arg[3]);
+    cut_coul_inner = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+    cut_coul = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   }
 
   if (cut_lj_inner <= 0.0 || cut_coul_inner < 0.0)
@@ -253,8 +253,8 @@ void PairLJGromacsCoulGromacs::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/pair_lj_smooth.cpp b/src/pair_lj_smooth.cpp
index ac473bf367..ce67ce482a 100644
--- a/src/pair_lj_smooth.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_lj_smooth.cpp
@@ -200,8 +200,8 @@ void PairLJSmooth::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_inner_global = atof(arg[0]);
-  cut_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  cut_inner_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   if (cut_inner_global <= 0.0 || cut_inner_global > cut_global)
     error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
@@ -233,14 +233,14 @@ void PairLJSmooth::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double epsilon_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double sigma_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double epsilon_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double sigma_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
   
   double cut_inner_one = cut_inner_global;
   double cut_one = cut_global;
   if (narg == 6) {
-    cut_inner_one = atof(arg[4]);
-    cut_one = atof(arg[5]);
+    cut_inner_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
+    cut_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
   }
 
   if (cut_inner_one <= 0.0 || cut_inner_one > cut_one)
diff --git a/src/pair_morse.cpp b/src/pair_morse.cpp
index f6f1858c87..61a3ba1b4e 100644
--- a/src/pair_morse.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_morse.cpp
@@ -162,7 +162,7 @@ void PairMorse::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -187,12 +187,12 @@ void PairMorse::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double d0_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double alpha_one = atof(arg[3]);
-  double r0_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  double d0_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double alpha_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
+  double r0_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 6) cut_one = atof(arg[5]);
+  if (narg == 6) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[5]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/pair_soft.cpp b/src/pair_soft.cpp
index 3f9d737288..2fc0520c3d 100644
--- a/src/pair_soft.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_soft.cpp
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ void PairSoft::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 1) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  cut_global = atof(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[0]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -210,11 +210,11 @@ void PairSoft::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double prestart_one = atof(arg[2]);
-  double prestop_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  double prestart_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
+  double prestop_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 5) cut_one = atof(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 5) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[4]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {
diff --git a/src/pair_table.cpp b/src/pair_table.cpp
index 51f8f058a9..2c6e7f3d3f 100644
--- a/src/pair_table.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_table.cpp
@@ -220,7 +220,7 @@ void PairTable::settings(int narg, char **arg)
   else if (strcmp(arg[0],"bitmap") == 0) tabstyle = BITMAP;
   else error->all("Unknown table style in pair_style command");
 
-  n = atoi(arg[1]);
+  n = force->inumeric(arg[1]);
   nm1 = n - 1;
 
   // delete old tables, since cannot just change settings
@@ -263,7 +263,7 @@ void PairTable::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
 
   // set table cutoff
 
-  if (narg == 5) tb->cut = atof(arg[4]);
+  if (narg == 5) tb->cut = force->numeric(arg[4]);
   else if (tb->rflag) tb->cut = tb->rhi;
   else tb->cut = tb->rfile[tb->ninput-1];
 
diff --git a/src/pair_yukawa.cpp b/src/pair_yukawa.cpp
index 1ad3708b76..6ee2169776 100644
--- a/src/pair_yukawa.cpp
+++ b/src/pair_yukawa.cpp
@@ -157,8 +157,8 @@ void PairYukawa::settings(int narg, char **arg)
 {
   if (narg != 2) error->all("Illegal pair_style command");
 
-  kappa = atof(arg[0]);
-  cut_global = atof(arg[1]);
+  kappa = force->numeric(arg[0]);
+  cut_global = force->numeric(arg[1]);
 
   // reset cutoffs that have been explicitly set
 
@@ -183,10 +183,10 @@ void PairYukawa::coeff(int narg, char **arg)
   force->bounds(arg[0],atom->ntypes,ilo,ihi);
   force->bounds(arg[1],atom->ntypes,jlo,jhi);
 
-  double a_one = atof(arg[2]);
+  double a_one = force->numeric(arg[2]);
 
   double cut_one = cut_global;
-  if (narg == 4) cut_one = atof(arg[3]);
+  if (narg == 4) cut_one = force->numeric(arg[3]);
 
   int count = 0;
   for (int i = ilo; i <= ihi; i++) {