How can I execute a WHOIS query for all domains registered in a given time period in a given TLD using Ruby?

Question

I'm trying to understand how WHOIS works. I know there are third-parties and Gems that abstract this functionality, but I want to have some basic understanding of what goes on. Thus, I'm interested in how to do this in the most direct manner using only standard Ruby libraries and going straight to the direct source. As a test use case, I'd like to be able to pull the 10 most recent .COM domains registered which would give me a model to understand how to query for a list of all the domain names registered in a given time period on a given TLD. It is my understanding that IANA would point me to Verisign for a .COM query, so, if that is correct and I should be querying Versign, what do I ask Verisign and how would I execute this query in Ruby? As well, what documentation or reference could I have used to figure this out myself (I ask because I had trouble finding any). Thanks.

Answer 1

Normally, you can't know the last N domains created for a specific .TLD unless the registry authority for that specific TLD provides you access to this information.

And AFAIK, this is a feature that no registry currently provide.

Some registries gives the ability to download a list of all registered domains for a TLD to some authorized partners. This feature is normally very expensive and useful only if you need to know at any time what and how many domains exist for a specific TLD.

Keep in mind this authorization is really expensive and it must be approved by the registry, given that the TLD you want to monitor belongs to a registry that supports this feature.

You cited Verisign. Verisign provides a TLD ZONE FILE ACCESS PROGRAM, but this is not something you have access for free through their public WHOIS interface.