Inputting a string.

[matalog]

Is there a way to have an INPUT variable recognised as a string?

I was writing a program that required the leading zeros to be retained and thought that if I could input it as a string, then I could manipluate it the way I want earlier.

If I input 07021999 as a number variable, then it becomes 7021999 instantly.

Also, if I just had to input a name for example, obviously it would just be useful to be able to input letters instead of numbers.