Checks a candidate number for validity according to the Luhn
    algorithm (used in validation of, for example, credit cards).
    Both numeric and string candidates are accepted.

def luhn(candidate):
    """
    Checks a candidate number for validity according to the Luhn
    algorithm (used in validation of, for example, credit cards).
    Both numeric and string candidates are accepted.
    """
    if not isinstance(candidate, six.string_types):
        candidate = str(candidate)
    try:
        evens = sum(int(c) for c in candidate[-1::-2])
        odds = sum(LUHN_ODD_LOOKUP[int(c)] for c in candidate[-2::-2])
        return ((evens + odds) % 10 == 0)
    except ValueError:  # Raised if an int conversion fails
        return False