Convert String to Numbers

Setup, Configuration and Use Scripts & Rules
2

Try something like this:

rule "Converter"
when
    Item  program_phase changed
then
    var String phase = program_phase.state.toString()
    var Number phase_number

    if (var == "Main wash") { phase_number = 1}
    else  (var == "Rinse") { phase_number = 2}
    else  (var == "Drain ") { phase_number = 3}
    else  (var == "Spin") { phase_number = 4}
    else  (var == "Anti-crease") { phase_number = 5}
    else  (var == "Finished ") { phase_number = 6}
end