How to convert degree minute second to degree decimal

Question

I receive the latitude and longitude from GPS with this format:

Latitude : 78°55\'44.29458\"N

I need convert this data to:

latitude: 78.9288888889

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Answer 1

The function above (dms2dd) is incorrect.

Actual (With error):

if direction == 'E' or direction == 'N': dd *= -1

Corrected Condition:

if direction == 'W' or direction == 'S': dd *= -1