Automating sql files via a command line prompt

Question

Hi All
I've set up an SQL file that extracts information about students in csv format. This information is then imported into another piece of software that creates students e-mail accounts etc..
The program prompts the user to specify from when they want the data from e.g. list of student details that enrolled after 01-SEP-2002.
The Network Manager has now asked me if there is any way the extraction of the student data and import into the e-mail creation software can be automated. He suggested command line prompts as used in DOS e.g. dir/od *.sql > test where dir gives the directory the od orders the files by date.
The Network Manager wanted the extraction and import procedure run on a regular basis by simply just typing a 'command line'. The extraction would take place on an hourly basis especially during the main enrolment periods
Can anybody help me?
Thanks
Jen

Answer 1

I work mainly with UNIX, so cannot give you the actual DOS commands, but I would structure the program as below. I assume that you have some way of identifying the last enrollment you extract.
In psuedo code:
Set up any environment variables required
sqlplus -s user/password@enrollment_server @student_extract.sql
  -- student_extract.sql would spool to a fixed name file say enrollment.txt
  -- after extracting, it would update a single column, single row table with the
  -- the identifying field for the last enrollment extracted (this would also
  -- be used in the extract query as the lower bound)
Reset any environment variables required to connect to the email server
sqlplus -s user/password@email_server @load_email.sql
  -- load_email.sql would read enrollment.txt and do whatever is required
rename enrollment.txt to enrollment.txt.current-date-timeThis could be run out of an automatic scheduler if you have one, or manually from the command line.
HTH
John