title: Open Source Scripting Languages that work well with Microsoft SQL Server
body: <p>I have been using PHP for a number of years now and have found it to be (relatively) well documented, easy to work with, to setup and to use.</p>
  
  <p>One of its main advantages is its capablility of working, without many modifications, similarly on a Windows or *nix platforms.</p>
  
  <p>It also has good support for connecting to Microsoft SQL Servers, in particular 2005 + 2008 through the <a href="http://php.net/mssql" rel="nofollow">mssql</a> module + ntwdblib.dll or <a href="http://www.freetds.org/" rel="nofollow">FreeTDS</a>.</p>
  
  <p>That being said, the more time I spend developing PHP, the more I feel the need to pick up another scripting language to broaden my skill set and to develop better web-based applications.</p>
  
  <p>Because of this I've spent some time exploring alternative scripting languages in an effort to evaluate their suitability.</p>
  
  <p>At present the biggest hurdle I have come accross is support provided by recent versions of the Open Source scripting languages, specifically: <strong>Python 3.2.2, Ruby 1.9.2, Node 0.5.7</strong> for the Windows OS (<strong>WinXP</strong> in my case) and <strong>Microsoft SQL Server (2005 + 2008)</strong>.</p>
  
  <p>My existing working environ necessitates the requirement for connecting to a MSSQL database.</p>
  
  <p>I'm looking for answers from developers who have experience working with either Python, Ruby or Node.js and using them to interacting with a MS SQL Server.</p>
  
  <p>What would be your recommended Open Source scripting language which has good support for MS SQL Server.</p>
  
  <p>Ideas welcome.</p>
  
  <p>-P.</p>