Is there a way in Ruby/Rails to execute code that is in a string?

Question

So I have a database of different code samples (read snippets). The code samples are created by users. Is there a way in Rails to execute it?

So for example I have

Answer 1

To the eval answer (which is the right one) I would add: get thee a copy of the Pickaxe Book (either Programming Ruby or Programming Ruby 1.9 depending on your Ruby version) and read the chapter called "Locking Ruby in the Safe." That chapter is all about Ruby's safe levels and tainted objects, and the chapter opens with exactly your use case and why you need to be paranoid about it.