Use JavaScript parseInt() and parseFloat() to Convert Strings to Numbers
By Stephen Bucaro
When you use different data types in operations, JavaScript tries it's best to perform the
proper data type conversions to make the operation work, but sometimes it can't figure out
what you have in mind. Take for example the simple addition operation shown below.
4 + "4"
You might assume the result would be the number 8, but instead the result would be the
text string "44". Another example is shown below.
4.4 + "4.4"
You might assume the result would be the number 8.8, but instead the result would be
the text string "4.44.4".
If the results of a mathematical operation in your script are not what you expected,
make sure that you convert any numbers represented as strings to the actual number
data type before performing the operation.
JavaScript provides two built-in functions to convert numbers represented as strings to
actual numbers, parseInt() and parseFloat().
parseInt()
parseInt() converts an integer represented as string to the number data type.
An integer is a whole number with no decimal point. The statement shown below shows the
previous operation using parseInt().
4 + parseInt("4")
This time the result would be the number 8 as expected.
parseFloat()
parseFloat() converts a floating-point number represented as string to the number
data type. The statement shown below shows the previous operation using parseFloat().
4.4 + parseFloat("4.4")
This time the result would be the number 8.8 as expected.
Some Other Useful JavaScript Built-in Functions for Determining Data Type
typeof() Function
The typeof() function returns a string indicating the data type of a literal or variable
passed to it. In the example below the message box would display string.
var result = 4.4 + "4.4";
alert(typeof(result));
In the example below the message box would display number.
var result = 4.4 + parseFloat("4.4");
alert(typeof(result));
isNaN() Function
The isNaN() function returns a boolean indicating if a literal or variable passed to it
is an illegal number. It returns true if the value is NaN (Not-a-Number), and false
if it is a number. In the example below the message box would display true (result is not a number).
var result = 4.4 + "4.4";
alert(isNaN(result));
If the results of a mathematical operation in your script are not what you expected,
these JavaScript built-in functions; parseInt(), parseFloat(), typeof(), and isNaN() should
help solve the problem.
More Java Script Code:
• Creating Java Script Dynamic or anonymous Functions at Runtime
• Regular Expression: Alternation
• Easy Code to Sort a Table by Column
• Use JavaScript parseInt() and parseFloat() to Convert Strings to Numbers
• Including Special Characters in a JavaScript String
• Submit Forms Without CGI
• JavaScript to Add and Remove Rows and Cells from a Table
• Java Script Math Object Trigonometric Methods
• HTML5 and Local Storage
• Round a Float to 4 Digits to the Right of the Decimal Point
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