Using Perl - Practical extraction and report language:

 
Scripting language developed by Larry Wall especially for processing text.
Many times when folks speak of CGI, they are talking about a specific language used for creating the CGI, Perl.

Perl is the programming language of choice for writing Web server applications, used for creating interactive forms and a slew of other CGI programs.
Perl scripts are available free of charge all over the Internet.

Preconfigured scripts are customized, edited in note pad, like most other scripts.
Make sure you are using a script compatible with the version of Perl running on the server.
Make sure you know the relative path names to Perl and your site on the server

Uploading your script

Put your cgi-bin scripts in the www subdirectory named "cgi-bin". The "bin" part alludes to the binary executables that result from compiled or assembled programs.

CGI's can also be Unix shell scripts or interpreted languages like Perl.
By default, your FTP program always uploads files in binary mode. CGI scripts need to be saved in ASCII format and uploaded to your server's cgi-bin in ASCII or text format.

Setting file permissions

chmod the file - change mode
telnet and change file permissions in Unix
Some FTP clients, like WS_FTP, support changing permissions in a more graphical way.
In WS_FTP just highlight the file you want to check, and right-click on it. A menu will pop up, then select CHMOD.

Pick up a script and practice:

While Perl scripts are available free of charge all over the Internet, the absolute best place I have found to pick up a friendly beginner script is Bignosebird.com http://www.bignosebird.com/

You will absolutely want to check out The Most Simple Intro to CGI: http://www.bignosebird.com/lscgi.shtml

You will also want to check out Introducing the FORM: http://www.bignosebird.com/formls1.shtml

In class we will talk about the survey script:

Take Questy's Surfer Survey (CGI from BignoseBird.com) --> http://questy.us/survey/survey.htm

View Questy's User Survey Results --> http://questy.us/cgi-bin/survey/survey.cgi?survey_name=survey

Many times you'll need to know what's on your server, but either don't know, don't know how to find out, or don't want to bother your system administrator. Perl Diver is a cool script that helps you by digging into your server's perl installation and giving you the information you need. Check it out on my site: http://questy.us/cgi-bin/perldiver.cgi

VB - VBScript - ASP

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