Converting the reports into a data format that can be sucked into MS SQL sounds just the job for Perl.

You can either write a system that uses configuration files or just a number of similar scripts. The choice here depends on whether you are doing a one-time transition of legacy data or something that needs to be repeated and maintained.

In terms of the 'getting data into SQL Server' question, I would look at writing a Perl script that used the Text::CSV module as a means of writing correctly formatted CSV files. These files can then be sucked into SQL server using the Bulk Import facility which is much better than trying to do SQL Updates.

If you are looking to configure your script using XML files then take a look at XML::Simple which should allow you to read XML files with the minimum of fuss.

Enjoy!
Inman

In reply to Re: looking for some guidance before I dive in by inman
in thread looking for some guidance before I dive in by Anonymous Monk

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