How do you convert a string to an integer in Python?

To convert a string to an integer in Python, the correct approach is to use the int() function. This function takes a string representation of a number and returns its integer equivalent. For example, if you have a string like "123", calling int("123") will result in the integer 123.

This method is essential when you need to perform arithmetic operations or comparisons that require numerical data types. Using int() effectively parses the string and handles any necessary conversion seamlessly, provided that the string is a valid representation of an integer.

The other options do not serve this purpose. The float() function converts a string to a floating-point number, the str() function converts other data types to a string, and the input() function is used to read input from the user as a string. They do not directly facilitate the conversion of a string to an integer.