Converting a string to the most probable type

[George Sakkis]

On Mar 6, 9:27 am, Pierre Quentel <quentel.pie... at wanadoo.fr> wrote:
> Hi,
>
> I would like to know if there is a module that converts a string to a
> value of the "most probable type" ; for instance :
> - if the string is "abcd" the value is the same string "abcd"
> - string "123" : value = the integer 123
> - string "-1.23" (or "-1,23" if the locale for decimals is ,) : value
> = the float -1.23
> - string "2008/03/06" (the format is also locale-dependant) : value =
> datetime.date(2008,03,06)
>
> Like in spreadsheets, special prefixes could be used to force the
> type : for instance '123 would be converted to the *string* "123"
> instead of the *integer* 123
>
> I could code it myself, but this wheel is probably already invented

Maybe, but that's a so domain-specific and easy to code wheel that
it's no big deal reinventing.

George