rails 4 to convert text to array helper method

Question

I have the following string

78,87,test,test1,125

How can i convert this into an array

I need something like this

[78, 87, "test", "test1", 125]

How do i achieve it.

Answer 1

Adding this answer just for completeness although @struthersneil's answer answers most of it.

"78,87,test,test1,125".split(',').map { |x| x=~ /^\d+$/ ? x.to_i : x }
> [78, 87, "test", "test1", 125]

Note the use of map and regex check for numbers. You should be able to change the regex and appropriate helpers e.g. to_i, to_f etc. according to your need.

Answer 2

You'll have an easier time with ruby if you familiarize yourself with the commonly-used classes, like String: http://ruby-doc.org/core-2.0.0/String.html.

What you want here is:

"something,something,something".split ','