Mike, php works quite nicely at the command line.  If you are to devote 
resources to the apache/php side of the project, reuse this resource on 
the script/command line side of the project.

I do all of my data parsing with command line php scripts, very handy.

Database side, I'd look at postgresql depending on the level of complexity 
of the schema and what is needed in terms of stored procedures.

If you stick with mysql, look closely at using tables capable of 
transactions and rollbacks... I'd be assuming that a "jurassic park" event 
would occur at least once in the lifecycle of each of these systems, don't 
wanna loose data because the electricity failed.  More or less by default, 
postgresql handles power failures well.  So does mysql if you choose 
carefully.

My two cents, code the email parsing side in C++, something small and 
fast.  Parsing email in ++ isn't too difficult.

 - t
----------------------------------------

I have just completed a project where I had to parse
out an email message and dump it into a MySQL db. I find it hard to go wrong
with Perl -> MySQL

v/r
Mike

On Thu, Jun 13, 2002 at 08:37:35AM -0700, James Shaker wrote:
 
 Hello All,
 
 I would like to use "you all" as a sounding board for a project I am
 working on, if that is ok?
 
 We have developed a machine that will be deployed in a few thousand
 locations around the US, Puerto Rico, and Bahamas.  This product will be
 connected to a phone line and will call a linux server that we set up as
 a PPP dial in server.  Once connected, the product will send a small
 email detailing production amounts and status information.  The machine
 will also receive an email, if any, for parameter changes, etc.  This
 all works well.
 
 Once the server receives the email I want to parse that information and
 put it into MySql.  The status of these machines can be viewed via the
 web using apache and PHP4.  
 
 What I would like some advice on, what is the better method of parsing
 the email and putting it into MySql?
 
 Its not that I don't have many options... I have too many.
 
 Procmail -> awk/sed -> PHP4 script -> MySql
 
 Perl -> MySql
 
 And many other combination of tools.  I am leaning towards a Perl ->
 MySql solution for the simplicity; however, I want to know if anyone
 else has something that might be better. Perhaps Python?  
 
 Thank "you all" for your time,
 
 James
 james@vartek-corp.com
 
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