title: Left() function in Javascript or jQuery
body: <p>I just want a very handy way to extract the numbers out of a string in Javascript and I am thinking about using jQuery, but I prefer the method that proves to be the simplest. I have requested the "left" attribute of a css block using jQuery like this:</p>
  
  <pre><code>var stuff = $('#block').css("left")
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>The result of "stuff" is</p>
  
  <pre><code>1008px
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I just want to get rid of the "px" because I need to do a parseInt of it. What is the best method? If Javascript had a left() function, this would be very simple. Thanks</p>