CGI Introduction and Overview

A Basic Introduction to CGI, Perl, and CGI Scripting

Introduction and Overview of Project
Hello, my name is Bill Teysko, a student in CIS212, Web Publishing Class at Cuyamaca College, El Cajon, California. This web site is a technical report in partial fulfillment of the course requirements.

I chose the topic, CGI scripting, as one that would be interesting and of value in my "learning curve". I consider CGI scripting to be mainstream at this point, rather than a tangential area to web publishing. Then there was the practical aspect, I would like to use the techniques for my own web sites.

Looking to the web for examples of CGI scripting being used, is a matter of counting how many ways they are used. I observe the business web sites, and see that the interactive features are required in many cases. Almost ever "personal" site has a counter, to tally the 'hits' of visitors. Then, there is the cordial guest book, and perhaps the time and weather for you. But one of the most useful tasks for CGI scripting is the form.

The form allows feedback, it allows you to collect information from your web site. For example, if you are building a web site for your college computer club, a bit of CGI scripting will enable you to build forms to enroll members, nominate officers, and any number of important functions.

CGI scripting is one of those terms that seems to have "caught on" and the meaning has been expanded by usage. I will save the more technical points for the main page of my report.

Overview of Technical Report
In the report, I have attempted to present clear and concise definitions of terms, how and when CGI scripting is used, an introduction to the technical aspects, an example, along with references to further study the topic. CGI scripting is, after all programming, however attempts are being made within the computer industry to help everyone learn to use it. Much of the scripting is open source with libraries and collection of ready made scripts at no cost. This is a good thing for the "people's internet" in my opinion.

Summary
A month ago I couldn't spell CGI, and now I am writing a tutorial about it. I have learned what it is, how it is used, when to use it.
CGI scripting is a necessary tool of web designers and should not be a mystery as a student advances in skill. CGI scripting is powerful and useful tool. Perl, the favored language CGI scripting, is also worth the effort to learn.

I found as I researched, that information was available in abundance with little copyrighted. The abundance of information on the web is actually a bit overwhelming, at first. One can easily see the applications of this topic will fuel the interest of web designers.

(Return to CGI technical report)