python - How to convert a numeric string with place-value commas into an integer?

Question

In Python, what is a clean and elegant way to convert strings like "1,374" or "21,000,000" to int values like 1374 or 21000000?

Answer 1

It really depends where you get your number from.

If the number you are trying to convert comes from user input, use locale.atoi(). That way, the number will be parsed in a way that is consistent with the user's settings and thus expectations.

If on the other hand you read it, let's say, from a file, that always uses the same format, use int("1,234".replace(",", "")) or int("1.234".replace(".", "")) depending on your situation. This is not only easier to read and debug, but it's not affected by the user's locale setting, so your parser will work on any system.