title: how to call ruby script from php?
body: <p>I am writing a Wordpress plug in php in and next step is some kind of add on to this plug in. </p>
  
  <p>The add on would scrape data from web, sending forms etc. I have this part almost ready from the time before I had any thoughts about Wordpress plugin - it's coded in <strong>ruby using mechanize</strong>. I haven't found anything similar to mechanize in php anyway.</p>
  
  <p>But I do not know what is the best way to <strong>call my ruby script from Wordpress</strong>. Some tasks will be managed by cron. What about the ones based on user request? </p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>php script <strong>only triggers</strong> the ruby script. It won't wait/require anything from ruby's output</li>
  <li>Wordpress plugin is fully portable and functional <strong>without ruby</strong> script. Ruby adds on something more. If somebody requires it.</li>
  <li>everything will be running on my linux server where I have a root access</li>
  </ul>