Using CGI Scripts

Another option is to incorporate CGI scripts into your site. Your Web host may have a number of stock CGI scripts you can incorporate into your pages. To be able to add your own CGI scripts, your Web host has to allow you to use custom CGI scripts—many Web hosts or ISPs that provide free Web space to their users don't allow the use of custom CGI scripts. If your site is located on a Unix server, you will also need to use Telnet or FTP to set access permission for any CGI scripts you add to your personal cgi-bin folder. CGI scripts can be written by a variety of scripting and programming languages, including Perl, C, C++, Apple-Script, Python, Unix Shell, and Visual Basic.

The most usual forms of CGI scripts that are used in Web pages are form processors and counters. There are many other kinds of CGI scripts and applications that can be used in Web pages, including rotating banners, audio jukeboxes, bulletin boards, event calendars, chat rooms, classified ads, dynamic content, cookies, online databases, guestbooks, image control, link adders, mailing lists, password protection, e-cards, site search, shopping carts, polls and surveys, and much more. Here are some sources where you can find CGI scripts on the Web:

• The CGI Resource Index at cgi.resourceindex.com/

• CGIexpo.com at www.cgiexpo.com/

• ScriptSearch.com at www.scriptsearch.com/

• HotScripts.com at www.hotscripts.com/

• Matt's Script Archive at www.scriptarchive.com/

• FREEPerlCode.com at www.freeperlcode.com/

• How to Install a Perl Script for Use as a CGI Program at www.freeperlcode.com/newuser/installascript.html