From: paul.rogers@... (Paul)
Date: 2004-09-23T03:14:34+09:00
Subject: negative numbers and binary formats

Im trying to take a negative integer value, convert it to its binary
equivalent, and save its hex value

-7 -> 1111 1001 -> F9


 I was hoping to use sprintf, but:

irb(main):017:0> b = sprintf("%4b" , a)
=> "..1001"
irb(main):018:0>

The .. that appear break any further processing. So my questions are:

Why the dots, and what are they?
How do I do what Im trying to do - given my -7 in the example may be a
1 byte, 2 byte or 4 byte value. ( Im sure its some magic with
pack....)

Thanks

Paul