Java Programming

Was wondering how to convert letters to numbers in java. We are working on a problem in class that has you input information for a cd. For example Title, Artist, Year and month produced, and then input a bar code number. I have the code down for all the inputs and then display what the user just entered.

What i was wanting to do is take the Title and Artist inputs convert those letters to numbers then add the year and month on the end to create its own barcode.