Extract a number from a string

Questions
1

From the string x = “DIMENSION: 17” I want to extract the integer and load it into n (in general, the string need not end in 17). This command works:

n = StringCases[x,  "DIMENSION:" ~~ Whitespace ~~ (y : DigitCharacter ..) -> y] // First // ToExpression;

But there must be a much simpler way. What is it? Thankx.

Bruce

2

Is this simpler?

n = StringReplace[x, RegularExpression["\\D+"] -> " "] // ToExpression

which will handle any non-digit characters before and/or after the digits, but won’t handle several groups of digits.

3

You can also try–

StringSplit[x][[2]] // ToExpression
4

Girish, this is perfect, exactly what I sought. Thanks.

5

Bill, this is shorter and thus better – didn’t think of using RegularExpression. Girish provided the solution I hoped was out there, and both replies are useful. Thanks.