How do I check if a string is a number (float)?

Question

What is the best possible way to check if a string can be represented as a number in Python?

The function I currently have right now is:

def is_numb         


        

Answer 1

I know this is particularly old but I would add an answer I believe covers the information missing from the highest voted answer that could be very valuable to any who find this:

For each of the following methods connect them with a count if you need any input to be accepted. (Assuming we are using vocal definitions of integers rather than 0-255, etc.)

x.isdigit() works well for checking if x is an integer.

x.replace('-','').isdigit() works well for checking if x is a negative.(Check - in first position)

x.replace('.','').isdigit() works well for checking if x is a decimal.

x.replace(':','').isdigit() works well for checking if x is a ratio.

x.replace('/','',1).isdigit() works well for checking if x is a fraction.