title: How to handle both integer and string from raw_input?
body: <p>Still trying to understand python. It is so different than php. </p>
  
  <p>I set the choice to integer, the problem is on my menu I need to use letters as well. </p>
  
  <p>How can I use integer and string together?<br>
  Why can I not set to string than integer?</p>
  
  <pre><code>def main(): # Display the main menu
      while True:
          print
          print "  Draw a Shape"
          print "  ============"
          print
          print "  1 - Draw a triangle"
          print "  2 - Draw a square"
          print "  3 - Draw a rectangle"
          print "  4 - Draw a pentagon"
          print "  5 - Draw a hexagon"
          print "  6 - Draw an octagon"
          print "  7 - Draw a circle"
          print
          print "  D - Display what was drawn"
          print "  X - Exit"
          print
  
          choice = raw_input('  Enter your choice: ')
  
          if (choice == 'x') or (choice == 'X'):
              break
  
          elif (choice == 'd') or (choice == 'D'):
              log.show_log()
  
          try:
              choice = int(choice)
              if (1 &lt;= choice &lt;= 7):
  
                  my_shape_num = h_m.how_many()
                  if ( my_shape_num is None): 
                      continue
  
                  # draw in the middle of screen if there is 1 shape to draw
                  if (my_shape_num == 1):
                      d_s.start_point(0, 0)
                  else:
                      d_s.start_point()
                  #
                  if choice == 1: 
                      d_s.draw_triangle(my_shape_num) 
                  elif choice == 2: 
                      d_s.draw_square(my_shape_num) 
                  elif choice == 3:             
                      d_s.draw_rectangle(my_shape_num) 
                  elif choice == 4:             
                      d_s.draw_pentagon(my_shape_num) 
                  elif choice == 5:             
                      d_s.draw_hexagon(my_shape_num) 
                  elif choice == 6:             
                      d_s.draw_octagon(my_shape_num) 
                  elif choice == 7: 
                      d_s.draw_circle(my_shape_num)
  
                  d_s.t.end_fill() # shape fill color --draw_shape.py-- def start_point
  
              else:
                  print
                  print '  Number must be from 1 to 7!'
                  print
  
          except ValueError:
              print
              print '  Try again'
              print
  </code></pre>