A simple console data input function with rudimentary type validation for Python.

gistfile1.py

def data_input(type, prompt):
	# Initialize variables.
	valid = False
	return_value = False
	# Loop until data input is valid.
	while valid == False:
		input = raw_input(prompt)
		try:
			if type == 'int':
				return_value = int(input)
			elif type == 'float':
				return_value = float(input)
			else:
				return_value = input
			valid = True
		except ValueError:
			print "Sorry, the input needs to be "+type+"! Try again."
	return return_value

### Example
#>>> int_val = data_input('int', 'Please enter an integer: ')
#Please enter an integer: abc
#Sorry, the input needs to be int! Try again.
#Please enter an integer: 1.100
#Sorry, the input needs to be int! Try again.
#Please enter an integer: 1
#>>>