How do I parse a string to a float or int?

Question

In Python, how can I parse a numeric string like \"545.2222\" to its corresponding float value, 545.2222? Or parse the string \"31\" t

Answer 1

The YAML parser can help you figure out what datatype your string is. Use yaml.load(), and then you can use type(result) to test for type:

>>> import yaml

>>> a = "545.2222"
>>> result = yaml.load(a)
>>> result
545.22220000000004
>>> type(result)


>>> b = "31"
>>> result = yaml.load(b)
>>> result
31
>>> type(result)


>>> c = "HI"
>>> result = yaml.load(c)
>>> result
'HI'
>>> type(result)