title: python string to number with format string
body: <p>I would like to have inverse function of string formatting with Python.
  It is like strptime in time module.</p>
  
  <pre><code> str = '%d %f %d'%( 1 , 5.09 , 77)
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>str is <code>'1 5.090000 77'</code>.</p>
  
  <p>The funcution would be</p>
  
  <pre><code>ret_tuple = SOMETHING( "1 5.090000 77" , "%d %f %d")
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>return value is <code>(1,5.09,77)</code>.</p>
  
  <p>Does anybody know such a function, or shall I implement by myself?</p>