On Sep 17, 2005, at 10:32 PM, Jon A. Lambert wrote:

[snip docs]

>    I'm using StringScanner to process network packets, and want to  
> know
> whether I should be using getch or getbyte to decode them, especially
> since I have 16 and 32 byte integers and other random binary  
> cruft.  Now I haven't noticed anything out of the ordinary using  
> getch but the implied threats in the RI doc have me worried.
> Anyone know what the difference is, if any?
> Thanks
> --
> J Lambert
>
>
>
>
>

Have you considered looking at String#unpack ? Its designed for all  
that "random binary cruft"