Web / Programming / CGI

CGI Links and Resources

CGI, or the Common Gateway Interface, is a defined method by which a Web server can obtain information from (or send data to) other programs or files, including Web browsers, and utilize that data on the server machine. Perl is one of the more popular languages for writing CGI scripts, but practically every language includes functions and capabilities (or has modules available containing functions and capabilities) allowing them to access CGI data.

WebReference Articles

Mother of Perl

Jonathan Eisenzopf authored this (now archived) column with free and helpful tips, tricks, code and projects.

Drag & Drop CGI Book Chapter: How to Install the ICE Search Engine

Read a sample chapter about ICE, a free Perl-based Web site search engine. By Bob Weil and Chris Baron.

Other Tutorials

The Common Gateway Interface

From NCSA, an introduction and primer to writing and implementing CGI scripts, as well as covering security topics, the CGI specification and more.

The World Wide Web Security FAQ

Popular and heavily mirrored Web security Q&A from authors Lincoln Stein and John Stewart. Must bookmark for all CGI programmers.

CGI: The Common Gateway Interface for Server-side Processing

A tutorial from the Web Developer's Virtual Library. Includes links to additional CGI resources.

CGI Programming 101

This course is intended for anyone who knows HTML, but doesn't know Perl or CGI programming (and maybe doesn't know any programming at all). The goal here is to introduce you to writing Perl CGI scripts, teach you the basics of scriptwriting, and walk you through several common CGI programming applications for the Web.

CGI Programming FAQ

Comprehensive list of Frequently Asked Questions by Nick Kew. Is also mirrored at the WDG.

CGI Programming in Java

From chapters 17 and 18 of the Prentice Hall title Core Web Programming. Both client and server-side examples are provided.

CGI Programming with Perl

Sample chapter from the O'Reilly title, CGI Programming with Perl, 2nd edition. This chapter focuses specifically on Perl / CGI security issues and safe coding techniques.

Debugging CGI Scripts

Guidelines to help debugging and problem solving with your CGI Scripts. Also available in German.

Troubleshooting Perl CGI Scripts

Perl Monger's guide offers debug tips especially for Perl CGI programmers.

Working with Server Scripts

A chapter from the book How to Set Up and Maintain a World Wide Web Site. An introduction to scripts, how to find, install, and incorporate scripts into your documents. Covers clickable image maps, gateways, relational database browsers, fill-out forms, and text indexing of your site.

Tools and Resources

cg-eye

A test suite for HTTP and CGI development, from the Web Design Group.

CGI++

Nick Kew's C++ library for CGI programming.

cgic

Thomas Boutell's ANSI C library for CGI programming.

CGI Expert

Component suite for Delphi and C++ Builder.

The CGI (1.1) Specification

From the NCSA.

FastCGI

CGI Acceleration extension for multiple servers; including Apache, IIS, and Zeus.

Collections and Script Repositories

CGI Programming MetaFAQ

Large collection of resource links from Perl Mongers (perl.org) devoted to multiple server-side programming topics, such as security, caching, CGI and HTTP specifications, etc.

Google/Open Directory

Google/Open Directory's Computers / Programming / Internet / CGI category; with multiple sub categories including language specific entries and tutorials.

ScriptSearch

Repository of thousands of indexed CGIs and Scripts. Contains a keyword and category searchable database.

Matt's Script Archive

CGI scripts categorized by function from Matt Wright.

Extropia's Open Source CGI Script Archive

A useful collection of public-domain Perl scripts and resources. Includes a number of innovative scripts including shopping carts, bulletin boards, feedback, guestbook, database, in-site search engine, and more.

The Techno Trade CGI Archive

A list of PERL cgi scripts with examples of the scripts in action. Most are free for non-commercial use.

CGIExpo.com

Scripts, collections, tutorials, and more. Search hundreds of CGI pages on multiple sites. Formerly known as The CGI Collection.

CGI-City

Links to freeware and shareware CGI scripts; plus there is section for programmers offering free help, or you can post to the "help needed" section.

The CGI Resource Index

Over 2800 CGI related resources on the Internet, including free scripts, links, job resources and more.

Yahoo

Yahoo category: Server Side Scripting / CGI

Comments are welcome

Revised: May 2, 2002