As we're designing this query application for nontechnical users, we want a way for them to interact with our application without needing to deal with esoteric command-line options. This is a command-line application; therefore, fancy GUIs and shiny web applications are right out. Instead, we have to go back to the tried and tested system of using a menu-driven application. However, first of all, let's figure out what we want this application to do.

One of the more common scenarios where you might want to offer this type of application is for anyone who is interested in, works with, or is auditing your Puppet-managed infrastructure. You might not want them to have full and free access to your Puppet installation, but at the same time, you want them to be able to find the information they need to carry out the task at hand. So, the first decision that we need to make is regarding the information that we give them access to. For this application,...