[Tutor] [newbie alert] why can't I find a function that gives me the sign of an integer?

[Wolfram Kraus]

Rinzwind wrote:
> In basic I can use SGN to get back -1, 0,  +1 if a number is <0, 0, >0.
> I searched on  the web for a bit but sgn and sign give me way too many 
> discussions about Decimals. python.org <http://python.org> with 
> numbers/digits doesn't tell about a function.
> 
> Maybe Python uses a different name for it so I am not looking for the 
> correct wording :( Sucks not knowing syntax from my memory and having to 
> look them up alot).
> 
> Wim
> 
> 
> 
D'Oh!

It works with -1/0/1, too:
x and x/abs(x)

 >>> x = -2
 >>> x and x/abs(x)
-1
 >>> x = 2
 >>> x and x/abs(x)
1
 >>> x = 0
 >>> x and x/abs(x)
0

HTH,
Wolfram