Hello All, I like to rephrase my problem below by the following interactive session: >> x = "1, 12, 500" => "1, 12, 500" >> a = x.split(",").map {|k| k.to_i} => [1, 12, 500] >> y = "[25.0, 26], [30, 31]" => "[25.0, 26], [30, 31]" >> b = y.split(",").map {|k| k.to_i} => [0, 26, 0, 31] I get what I want in the 4th line, an array of numbers I don't get, nor did I expect to, what I want in the last line, i.e., an array of arrays. How can I convert to an array of arrays? Thanks, Peter Versteegen wrote: > Hi, > > I have been following this list off and on but have not found the > solution to my problem. I want to convert data supplied by a file into > their corresponding internal values. > > I have an external file with data that are in the form "variable name", > tab, followed by their value. The 'value 'can be a single number, an > array of numbers, or a matrix of numbers, For example, the file might > look like this: > a 2.4 > b 1,0, 3.0, 5.0 > c 5, 6, 11 > d [1, 2], [5, 6], [45,55] > e 2*[7, 8] > > I can get a, b, and c to convert to single values and arrays, thanks to > this forum, but I cannot figure out a way to convert d into an array of > arrays. I haven't taclked e yet. Does anyone have any suggestions? > > Ideally I would like to match the variable name in the file to the > corresponding and same name already coded in the program. Any ideas how > to do that? > > Thanks > > Pete Versteegen -- Posted via http://www.ruby-forum.com/.