Python's isdigit() method returns False for negative numbers

Question

I have a text files that I read to a list. This list contains integers and strings.

For example, my list could look like this:

[\"name\", \"test\", \"1\"         


        

Answer 1

The method tests for digits only, and - is not a digit. You need to test with int() and catch the ValueError exception instead if you wanted to detect integers:

for i, value in enumerate(mylist):
    try:
        mylist[i] = int(value)
    except ValueError:
        pass  # not an integer

In other words, there is no need to test explicitly; just convert and catch the exception. Ask forgiveness rather than ask for permission.