# Copy data from many CDs using ruby **URL:** \ **Category:** Ruby\ **Created:** [May 27, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/copy-data-from-many-cds-using-ruby/168971 "2009-05-27T22:35:10Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/bobbysantiago)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 10:35pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/copy-data-from-many-cds-using-ruby/168971/1 "2009-05-27T22:35:10Z")
Hi, I am a beginner with very basic knowledge of ruby, but I would like to create a script that would do the following: 1. Prompt to input disc 2. Create a new sequential folder within a specified directory 3. Copy all files from disc into said folder 4. Eject disc 5. Prompt to input another disc Essentially, I must copy the data off of ~1000 CDs and put the data into a separate folder for each disc. I would be doing this in a linux environment (ubuntu or debian). Does anyone have any tips on where to start? Can this even be done with ruby? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/bobbysantiago)\ **Post date:** [May 27, 2009, 10:44pm UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/copy-data-from-many-cds-using-ruby/168971/2 "2009-05-27T22:44:22Z")
On Thu, 2009-05-28 at 05:35 +0900, Bobby Sutter wrote: > Essentially, I must copy the data off of ~1000 CDs and put the data into > a separate folder for each disc. I would be doing this in a linux > environment (ubuntu or debian). > > Does anyone have any tips on where to start? Can this even be done with > ruby? Thanks! google most likely yes, it can be done You might want to just write a bash script for it though ---
**Author:** ![bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/bobbysantiago)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 12:58am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/copy-data-from-many-cds-using-ruby/168971/3 "2009-05-28T00:58:28Z")
Bobby Sutter wrote: > Essentially, I must copy the data off of ~1000 CDs and put the data into > a separate folder for each disc. I would be doing this in a linux > environment (ubuntu or debian). > > Does anyone have any tips on where to start? Can this even be done with > ruby? Thanks! Beginner? Me too, but I may know a bit more than you at this point. I know that the first time I tried to do something like this I ran into a few surprises. So…I’ll do for you what others here have done for me - an act of generosity that is rather often characteristic of this list - throw some code at you. While the following code is rudimentary, it does meet your specifications - at least on my Kubuntu Linux OS. You may have to look up some things to make complete sense of it - or ask more questions. Hope this is useful. # cds\_copy.rb def main cd\_source = “/media/cdrom” # CDs read from here dirbase = “/home/tomc/Ruby-work/a-test” # new dirs created here dirstart = 0 # dir counter (for name creation) while true # loop forever until told to stop # Prompt to input disc puts “Load CD. Press enter when loaded. Enter ‘x’ to exit.” gets # input defaults to ‘$_’ exit if /^x/ =~ $_ system( “mount '” + cd\_source + "’" ) # Create a new sequential folder within a specified directory foldernew = ( ‘CD’ + (dirstart.to\_i + 1).to\_s ) dirstart += 1 # Copy all files from disc into new folder FileUtils.cp\_r(cd\_source, foldernew) # recursive copy # Eject disc system( “eject '” + cd\_source + “’” ) end end require “fileutils” main # end file Tom C. – ```auto Tom C., MS MA, LMHC - Private practice Psychotherapist Bellingham, Washington, U.S.A: (360) 920-1226 << removed_email_address@domain.invalid >> (email) << TomCloyd.com >> (website) << sleightmind.wordpress.com >> (mental health weblog) ``` ---
**Author:** ![bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/bobbysantiago)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 1:02am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/copy-data-from-many-cds-using-ruby/168971/4 "2009-05-28T01:02:20Z")
Tom C. wrote: > ``` > system( "mount '" + cd_source + "'" ) > > ``` There is a problem here in that most contemporary linux users use distros with auto-mounting. So either change the prompt to “Insert disk and hit enter AFTER cd is mounted” or use a sleep() of some appropriate duration. ---
**Author:** ![bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/bobbysantiago)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 1:33am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/copy-data-from-many-cds-using-ruby/168971/5 "2009-05-28T01:33:28Z")
Tom C. wrote: > You see how helpful this list is? Thanks MK. No problem. This one came up about a week ago and I thought it was funny because the first “learning” project I did (like, just) in ruby was to create a database of my DVD backups. Evidently newbie minds think alike, to some frightening degree. I actually don’t use automounting, 'cause I find it irritating. ---
**Author:** ![bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/bobbysantiago)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 1:15am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/copy-data-from-many-cds-using-ruby/168971/6 "2009-05-28T01:15:26Z")
Mk 27 wrote: > Erp. Well… You are entirely correct. In my transition from Windows to Linux about a year ago, I found this whole CD mounting business a bit confusing. Then I figured out how to get it work and either learned an old-fashioned way, or the the OS moved to auto-mounting and I just didn’t notice (the latter, I think). The code runs on my OS as written, but it also runs if one comments out this line system( “mount '” + cd\_source + “’” ) and manually closes the CD and waits for the light to out. Cool…My system (the one I run in my head) just got updated today. You see how helpful this list is? Thanks MK. t. – ```auto Tom C., MS MA, LMHC - Private practice Psychotherapist Bellingham, Washington, U.S.A: (360) 920-1226 << removed_email_address@domain.invalid >> (email) << TomCloyd.com >> (website) << sleightmind.wordpress.com >> (mental health weblog) ``` ---
**Author:** ![bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/letter_avatar_proxy/v4/letter/b/c89c15/32.png) [@bobbysantiago](https://www.ruby-forum.com/u/bobbysantiago)\ **Post date:** [May 28, 2009, 2:04am UTC](https://www.ruby-forum.com/t/copy-data-from-many-cds-using-ruby/168971/7 "2009-05-28T02:04:34Z")
Mk 27 wrote: > I actually don’t use automounting, 'cause I find it irritating. That’s interesting. I do as well. Had it turned off on my WinX OS, and then just sorta forgot about it. For me it (obviously) ceased to exist. t. – ```auto Tom C., MS MA, LMHC - Private practice Psychotherapist Bellingham, Washington, U.S.A: (360) 920-1226 << removed_email_address@domain.invalid >> (email) << TomCloyd.com >> (website) << sleightmind.wordpress.com >> (mental health weblog) ```