comp.lang.ruby

darren kirby

7/26/2006 4:55:00 PM

quoth the Eric Kolve:
> I found a really nice package on CPAN called Image::ExifTool and I was
> wondering if their is some clean way of calling Perl code from Ruby? I
> couldn't find anything on rubyforge that did as good a job as this did.

`perl somescript.pl`
system("perl somescript.pl")

Is the only way I can think of, but I don't suppose that meats your definition
of clean...

> The other option is a port, but I am concerned about keeping a 60k line
> perl module in sync with a ruby version. Does anyone have any advice
> for porting/maintaining an active project in a different language?

I ported a Perl lib to Ruby. It was not nearly ~60000 lines, more like ~800
but...

I was actually trying to implement a spec, and was struggling with that, then
I found the Perl library that implements the spec. To tell the truth, from
the beginning I was not that interested in cloning the Perl lib at all, I
just used it as a starting point.

I do not expect I will try to keep my lib in sync with the original Perl one
in the slightest. It already carries the functionality I originally required,
so at this point I will just plug away and add any new functionality as I
find the time and motivation.

So: I don't think you should necessarily resign yourself to keeping your port
strictly 'in sync' with the original. Just follow it to keep abreast of
changes in exif format and whatnot. Otherwise, use the Perl code as a
starting point like myself, then make it your own. If the code is
useful/helpful enough, and you place it in rubyforge you may find yourself
getting some help from the community.

2 cents...

> thanks,
> eric

-Darren
--
darren kirby :: Part of the problem since 1976 :: http://badco...
"...the number of UNIX installations has grown to 10, with more expected..."
- Dennis Ritchie and Ken Thompson, June 1972