From: James Edward Gray II <james@...>
Date: 2004-10-15T03:49:34+09:00
Subject: Re: Nubie: How to start?

On Oct 14, 2004, at 1:34 PM, Graham Foster wrote:

> I need to write a SQL report agent. Very simple.
>
> -) Run various administrative SQL queries against different
> databases

Ruby has a DBI, like you're probably use to with Perl.

> -) Run as a scheduled job, (under Windows AT command I guess) so they
> will be automatically refreshed every 8 hours / day / week (or
> whatever frequency it needs doing)

I'm not a Windows user, so I'll trust your judgment here as it sounds 
like you already have it figured out.

> - Output would be a textual "report" from the SELECT recordset dump,
> do a defined filepath

This is as trivial with Ruby as it is with Perl.

> and/or
>
> - e-mail (to me) saying all is still well (or not) optionally
> including the report

Ruby's standard library covers sending e-mail.  I use it frequently.

> I need to be able to add new scripts easily, and I can have a
> dedicated machine running it if necessary (although I'd like a
> service.. if this is possible?)

I don't see any reason this isn't possible.

> If this config doesn't work, then stand-alone EXE's would also suit
> me. I'm assuming that this would be all entirely command line driven
> with parameter files (or something).
>
> I was about to reach for Perl (as I've done something similar there
> before), but I think I'd like to try Ruby, anyone give me a start
> here?

I don't think I understand this question?  What exactly are you 
needing?  Sounds like you have a plan.  Have you learned Ruby yet or is 
that where you are starting?  Did you need some other kind of 
assistance?

James Edward Gray II