title: Turn a variable from string to integer in python
body: <p>I'm having a problem with the int() function.
  I tried to use it in a simple program, but remains not working.
  This is my short program.
  I use int() to turn the a variable from a str into a int.
  And use it to compeare with 2. But it returns an error, because i<strong>t's still seen a as a str</strong>. What's happening??</p>
  
  <pre><code>a = '4'
  int (a)
  if a &gt; 2:
      print( "It's working" )
  </code></pre>