This is very simple and works just as well as any of the others:
function parseNumber(val, decimalPlaces) {
if (decimalPlaces == null) decimalPlaces = 0
var ret = Number(val).toFixed(decimalPlaces)
return Number(ret)
}
Since toFixed() can only be called on numbers, and unfortunately returns a string, this does all the parsing for you in both directions. You can pass a string or a number, and you get a number back every time! Calling parseNumber(1.49) will give you 1, and parseNumber(1.49,2) will give you 1.50. Just like the best of 'em!