The String#ord method will do the trick:
ruby-1.9.2-p136 > 'x'.ord
=> 120
ruby-1.9.2-p136 > '0'.ord
=> 48
ruby-1.9.2-p136 > ' '.ord
=> 32
The String#ord method will do the trick:
ruby-1.9.2-p136 > 'x'.ord
=> 120
ruby-1.9.2-p136 > '0'.ord
=> 48
ruby-1.9.2-p136 > ' '.ord
=> 32