How can a string.match include decimal points?

Question

So I am trying to get string.match to not only get '%d+'(any string of strait digits) but I want it to include decimal points IF they are present. I can't make the pattern '.%d+' or '%d+.%d+' because then those would detect any punctuation and wouldn't get a plain non decimal number

I'm so lost here

Answer 1

Try the pattern "(%d*%.?%d+)"

It matches:

• 12345
• 12.345
• .12345

But not:

• 12345.