@classmethod
def _cmpUtil(cls, a, b):
    """ Utility function that compares strings
        in the following manner:
        - if both string represent numbers, perform an integer comparison
        - otherwise consider both as strings..."""
    if a.isdigit() and b.isdigit():
        return int(a) - int(b)
    if a < b:
        return -1
    elif a == b:
        return 0
    else:
        return 1
