String to number

hi there,
I would like to check if the string i got is a valid number.
for example a "abc" will false.
"123" will return true.
I have tried new Integer("abc"); but I get a NumberFormatException.
Is there another way to check that the string is a valid number without getting exceptions?
thanks heaps,
sarone

Write a short function which calls Integer.parseInt() inside a try block. If it succeeds, the routine should return "true"; from the catch block, it should return "false". That's the best you're going to do short of writing your own little number-parsing routine.

Or use Double.parseDouble() method to handle floating numbers and large numbers.

Ernest and Mani gave nice solutions and I hereby give u one more solution which comes from basic understanding.
If the string does contain all digits then it will return true. Use ASCII code to write a If block to perform this.

Originally posted by Naren Chivukula:
If the string does contain all digits then it will return true. Use ASCII code to write a If block to perform this.

And write additional code to handle unary minus & decimal points (like there can be atmost one decimal point & one minus sign, and if the minus sign is present, it should be the first character of the string etc), if required.

Mani has pointed out correctly. Check unary plus/unary minus/decimal point.
If you are expecting binary/octal/hexal. check the string accordingly.

Originally posted by Naren Chivukula:
Ernest and Mani gave nice solutions and I hereby give u one more solution which comes from basic understanding.
If the string does contain all digits then it will return true. Use ASCII code to write a If block to perform this.

Why would you want to do this when you can convert the string into a char[] & Character has isDigit method?

As you can see, there IS a way to avoid exceptions altogether. Personally, I like using the Integer.parseInt() method and dealing with the exception that is thrown. This usually takes fewer lines of code.
Of course, doing it the "old fashioned way" is a good academic exercise, if nothing else.
Layne
[ February 20, 2004: Message edited by: Layne Lund ]