---
title: "system.tag.read"
description: "Reads the value of the tag at the given tag path."
---

# system.tag.read

> Reads the value of the tag at the given tag path.

This function is used in **Python Scripting**.

## Description
Reads the value of the tag at the given tag path. Returns a qualified value object. You can read the value, quality, and timestamp from this object. If the tag path does not specify a tag property, then the Value property is assumed.

You can also read the value of tag attributes by appending the attribute to the tagPath parameter. See the [Tag Properties](tags\understanding-tags\tag-properties.md) page for a list of available attributes.

## Client Permission Restrictions
This scripting function has no [Client Permission](projects\project-properties\project-properties.md#client---permissions) restrictions.

## Syntax
`system.tag.read(tagPath)`

### Parameters

| Type | Parameter | Description |
|---|---|---|
| String | `tagPath` | Reads from the given tag path. If no property is specified in the path, the Value property is assumed. |

### Returns
**QualifiedValue** - A qualified value. This object has three sub-members: value, quality, and timestamp.

### Scope
All

## Code Examples
```python title="Example #1"
# This example would read a value and display it in a message box.
  
qv = system.tag.read("[default]EastSection/ValveG/HOA_bit")
system.gui.messageBox("The value is %d" % qv.value)
```

```python title="Example #2"
# This example would check the quality of a tag value, and write it to the database if the quality is good
  
qv = system.tag.read("[default]EastSection/ValveG/HOA_bit")
if qv.quality.isGood():
   system.db.runPrepQuery("INSERT INTO VALVE_TABLE (HOA) VALUES (?)", [qv.value])
```

```python title="Example #3"
# This example would check the value of the EngHigh attribute on the tag
  
qv = system.tag.read("[default]EastSection/ValveG/HOA_bit.EngHigh")
system.gui.messageBox("The EngHigh value is %d" % qv.value)
```