How to build batch processes with rails

Question

I'm using ruby on rails 2.3.8 and I'm kind of knew at this technology. I'm using Windows 7, but I'm planning to hire a Linux hosting soon.

I'd like to know how to build processes that runs every night for things such as: checking stuff in the db, update values, send newsletter emails, etc.

Answer 1

for "executing every night" try to read more on "crontab"

and read more on "writing rake tasks" (that are *.rake files in /lib/tasks subdir of your Rails app) for the Rails-part of your questions

your nightly crontab job will look like:

0 2 * * * cd /path/to/rails && rake db:check:stuff

note that's not a command line, don't try to execute these asterisks :) it says to execute something at 2:00 AM every night

personally I like rake tasks, but you may just use script/runner for your tasks:

0 2 * * * cd /path/to/rails && ./script/runner my_script.rb