How to check if a String is numeric in Java

Question

How would you check if a String was a number before parsing it?

Answer 1

That's why I like the Try* approach in .NET. In addition to the traditional Parse method that's like the Java one, you also have a TryParse method. I'm not good in Java syntax (out parameters?), so please treat the following as some kind of pseudo-code. It should make the concept clear though.

boolean parseInteger(String s, out int number)
{
    try {
        number = Integer.parseInt(myString);
        return true;
    } catch(NumberFormatException e) {
        return false;
    }
}

Usage:

int num;
if (parseInteger("23", out num)) {
    // Do something with num.
}