title: Convert String to appropriate DataType
body: <p>I have a <code>String</code> that could be in many different <code>formats</code>. I need to be able to recognize the actual type of the value at <code>runtime</code> and then transform the value to that type. </p>
  
  <p>For example. If I have a <code>String</code> <code>Fri Feb 08 07:30:00 GMT 2013</code> this is actually a <code>Date</code> and a the <code>String</code> should be transformed into a <code>date object</code> and returned as such.</p>
  
  <p>My current solution to this problem is to 'try' to convert it to a data type, if the conversion succeeds then all is good, if the conversion fails then move on to the next conversion attempt. This works, but is ugly and un-maintainable and I'm sure a better solution already exists out there.</p>
  
  <p>Thanks.</p>