converter.rb

class Converter

  require 'logger'

  # abstract class for converting from our sources into the main db...
  attr_accessor :sources

  def initialize(*sources)
    self.sources = sources

    @logger = Logger.new("log/#{self.class.to_s}.log")
    @logger.formatter = Logger::Formatter.new
  end

  def process!
    # iterate over each source to process
    sources.each do |s|
      begin
        source = Rails.const_get(s.to_s.classify)
      rescue
        @logger.warn "Invalid attempt to call the source #{s.to_s.classify} - skipping"
        next ## invalid object, so punting
      end

      source.find(:all).each do |item|
        process_one(item, s)
      end
    end
  end

  def process_one(item, source)
    ## abstract for subclass....
  end

  def mark_as(state, item)
    begin
      sm.state = :state.to_s
      sm.save!
    rescue
      @logger.warn "Invalid State change attempt for #{item.class.to_s}"
    end
    sm.reload
    sm
  end

end