How do I convert an octal number to decimal in Ruby?

Question

I am trying to find a clean way of referencing an array\'s index using octal numbering. If I am looking for the array index that is octal 13 it should return the value for <

Answer 1

Use Ruby's octal integer literal syntax. Place a 0 before your number, and Ruby will convert it to octal while parsing:

v = 013 # => 11
a[v]    # => 61

If the octal number is coming from an outside source like a file, then it is already a string and you'll have to convert it just like you did in your example:

number = gets.chomp # => "13"
v = number.to_i(8)  # => 11
a[v]                # => 61