How can I type-check variables in Python?

Question

I have a Python function that takes a numeric argument that must be an integer in order for it behave correctly. What is the preferred way of verifying this

Answer 1

I would be tempted to to something like:

def check_and_convert(x):
    x = int(x)
    assert 0 <= x <= 255, "must be between 0 and 255 (inclusive)"
    return x

class IPv4(object):
    """IPv4 CIDR prefixes is A.B.C.D/E where A-D are 
       integers in the range 0-255, and E is an int 
       in the range 0-32."""

    def __init__(self, a, b, c, d, e=0):
        self.a = check_and_convert(a)
        self.b = check_and_convert(a)
        self.c = check_and_convert(a)
        self.d = check_and_convert(a)
        assert 0 <= x <= 32, "must be between 0 and 32 (inclusive)"
        self.e = int(e)

That way when you are using it anything can be passed in yet you only store a valid integer.