Talking about opening a can of worms........
Personally, I don't care what approach is used to import scores (number) or grades (text) just as long as my students can see them and that the grade book can export them.
Heck, if it was easier, how about a module that allows a student to view all of her/his scores and/or grades, independent of the gradebook?
All I want to be able to do is 1) automatically record any scores that are 'graded' by moodle, 2) export the gradebook based on user ID and name, and 3) be able to let students see scores received on classroom exams and theri final grades. It would also be great if a student could view all of his/her scores even if a unit was turned off. That way, students could see all of their scores but only the units that were currently being worked on.
So, should I wave my magic wand or learn PHP?
No matter what, I'm still working with a system that impresses the hell our of my students.