I've got a file INPUT that has the following contents: 123\n 456\n 789 I want to run my script like so: script.rb < INPUT and have it convert the contents of the INPUT file to an array, splitting on the new line character. So, I'd having something like myArray = [123,456,789]. Here's what I've tried to do and am not having much luck: myArray = STDIN.to_s myArray.split(/\n/) puts field.size I'm expecting this to print 3, but I'm getting 15. I'm really confused here. Any pointers?