How to convert a string like '777' to an octal integer like 0777?

[Robert Kern]

KB wrote:
> Thanks, John.
> 
> But my point is how to keep the leading zero in 0777,
> in order to be used in os.chmod('myfile', 0777)?

I don't understand. The leading zero only exists in a particular string 
representation. os.chmod() needs an integer, not a string. 0777 == 511.

os.chmod('myfile', 0777)
os.chmod('myfile', 511)
os.chmod('myfile', int('777', 8))

They all do *exactly* the same thing. End of story.

If you really need a string representation in octal (os.chmod() 
doesn't), then use oct() on the integer.

-- 
Robert Kern
rkern at ucsd.edu

"In the fields of hell where the grass grows high
  Are the graves of dreams allowed to die."
   -- Richard Harter