int is probably what you are after...

I recommend that you open up the perlfunc man page (man perlfunc or perldoc perlfunc on your system) and get familiar with all of the built-ins.

Update:graff is of course right a scalar consisting of only digits is already an int or can be... /me wanders off to re-read perldata :)

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Until you've lost your reputation, you never realize what a burden it was or what freedom really is. -Margaret Mitchell