How to convert a string or integer to binary in Ruby?

You have Integer#to_s(base) and String#to_i(base) available to you.

Integer#to_s(base) converts a decimal number to a string representing the number in the base specified:

9.to_s(2) #=> "1001"

while the reverse is obtained with String#to_i(base):

"1001".to_i(2) #=> 9