What's a good way to specify set of records to be created across multiple models (with associations)? (e.g. XML, YAML, Ruby code [e.g. hash/array] other?)

Hi,

I need to be able to specify for my application, via a configuration approach (i.e. power user, no nice UI required), a way to automate creation of a pre-determine set of database records across a few models. So I’ll try to explain as best I can:

  • Assume I have a model hierarchy something like the following (basically allocating a back account item out):
  • model “Bank Account Item” can have multiple
  • model "Allocation"s and within each allocation it defines .amount (for the allocation, total for each allocation needs to equal bank_account) .person_id (link to existing person in the Person table/model) .category_id (link to existing category in the Category table/model)
  • There will be an automation routine that will say, “if you see a bank account item with a description of XYZ, then automatically set up it’s allocation to People & Categories” (i.e. predefined). This could be as simple as an “Automation” model that has a regex that would be used, and then a string to store the association(s) that should be created (e.g. XML, or YAML, or Ruby code, i.e. the reason for the question).

  • An example for what this string might represent for say an automation record where the regex was “Telephone Bill” might be: --------example---------

  • Association 1

  • amount = 30% (calculates absolute amount on the fly)
  • person_id = 1 <Person A’s id>
  • category_id = 23
  • Association 2
  • amount = 70% (calculates absolute amount on the fly)
  • person_id = 1 <Person A’s id>
  • category_id = 3 --------example---------

Any suggestions re (a) a nice generic way to do this and (b) what format may be the best (e.g. XML, Ruby code, YAML).

Some ideas that come to mind: [1] Ruby code that takes input (not great) [2] Ruby code that describes “example” above in the form of Array or Hashes. Maybe best? [3] XML - readable, but a little more code to import? [4] YAML - not that readable, but easy to import [4] Other?

thanks

Can't remember the library names... but you want to look for a "factory" of some sort.

I’m more interested in how the routine (albeit in a Factory or not works) actually - e.g. best way of storing the info: xml, ruby code, yaml??