From: Robert Klemme <bob.news@...>
Date: 2006-02-07T20:28:20+09:00
Subject: Re: ruby-nuby bytes question

steven.shingler@virgin.net wrote:
> Hi all,
> 
> I'd like to convert an int to a byte array in Ruby.
> 
> In C# you can do this:
> byte[] b = BitConverter.GetBytes(BufferLength);
> 
> Any tips for the ruby equivalent gratefully received :)

You can use pack

irb(main):001:0> [5].pack "i*"
=> "\005\000\000\000"
irb(main):002:0> [5].pack "I*"
=> "\005\000\000\000"
irb(main):006:0> [5].pack("I*").split //
=> ["\005", "\000", "\000", "\000"]

But note also that you can treat an int as a bit vector:

irb(main):003:0> 5[2]
=> 1
irb(main):004:0> 5[3]
=> 0

HTH

    robert