Convert a number enclosed in parentheses (string) to a negative integer (or float) using Python?

Question

In Python, what is the simplest way to convert a number enclosed in parentheses (string) to a negative integer (or float)?

For example, '(4,301)' to -4301, as commonly encountered in accounting applications.

Answer 1

For localized numbers, I use this:

def clean_number(text):
    import locale
    locale.setlocale(locale.LC_NUMERIC, "Portuguese_Brazil.1252")
    tbl = str.maketrans('(', '-', 'R$ )')
    return locale.atof(text.translate(tbl))

Works with Python 3.8. The first parenthesis is replaced with the minus sign, the second is removed. Also removes spaces and the monetary sign.