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- #!/usr/bin/perl
-
- # First open my database. Complain if unable.
-
- open(STUFF, "stuff") || die "Can't open stuff: $!\n";
-
- # Open the clay tablet printer.
-
- open(CTP, ">/dev/ctp") || die "Can't open /dev/ctp: $!\n";
-
- # Now load stuff into associative array.
-
- while (<STUFF>) {
- ($beastie,$remainder) = split(/:/, $_, 2);
- $beastie =~ tr/A-Z/a-z/;
- $stuff{$beastie} = $remainder;
- }
-
- close STUFF;
-
- # Now loop forever, printing out letters on demand.
-
- while (1) {
-
- # Find out what to do next.
-
- print "Letter for which beastie: ";
- chop($beastie = <STDIN>);
- last unless $beastie;
-
- # Get the information handy for selected beastie.
-
- ($noses, $hazard, $premium) = split(/:/, $stuff{$beastie});
- $payment = $premium * $noses;
-
- # Now print out the letter.
-
- print CTP <<"EndOfLetter";
- Dear Shekelgrubbers:
-
- Please find enclosed $payment shekels in payment of the
- annual premium for insuring $noses of my $beastie against
- $hazard.
-
- Sincerely,
- Job
-
- Quote of the day:
- "You can lead a camel to water, but you can't make
- it stink (any worse than it already does)."
- EndOfLetter
-
- print CTP "\f"; # Eject the clay tablet.
- }
-