From: Morton Goldberg <m_goldberg@...>
Date: 2007-02-16T00:47:03+09:00
Subject: Re: Converting Bytes to  a Negative Integer

On Feb 14, 2007, at 6:37 PM, James Edward Gray II wrote:

> On Feb 14, 2007, at 5:02 PM, Morton Goldberg wrote:
>
>> data = ""
>> [255, 255, 255, 236].each { |e| data << e }
>> data # => "\377\377\377\354"
>> data.unpack('l').first # => -20
>
> Watch what happens when I run the same code:
>
> >> data = ""
> => ""
> >> [255, 255, 255, 236].each { |e| data << e }
> => [255, 255, 255, 236]
> >> data
> => "\377\377\377\354"
> >> data.unpack('l').first
> => -318767105

I see your point. Many new computers have 64-bit CPUs and we should  
remember that. Also, you want to be sure I, lowly 32-bit CPU owner,  
envy you for having one of these <just kidding>.

Regards, Morton