gistfile1.js

(function() {

  // convert a string to a number.
  // it uses base 10 by default
  var foo = parseInt('78'); // 78

  // repeat, with a different number
  // this time it's base 8 by default?
  var wtf = parseInt('08'); // 0

  // always provide parseInt()
  // with a base 10 param
  var allbetter = parseInt('08', 10); // 8  

})();