Convert a hexadecimal string to an integer efficiently in C?

Question

In C, what is the most efficient way to convert a string of hex digits into a binary unsigned int or unsigned long?

For example, if I have

Answer 1

#include "math.h"
#include "stdio.h"
///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
//  The bits arg represents the bit say:8,16,32...                                                                                                              
/////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////
volatile long Hex_To_Int(long Hex,char bits)
{
    long Hex_2_Int;
    char byte;
    Hex_2_Int=0;

    for(byte=0;byte