Description
The Common Gateway Interface, or CGI, is a standard for accessing external programs through a Web server. It is commonly used in Web development for adding interactivity to Web pages and for linking to external data sources. CGI programs are most commonly developed using the Perl programming language. This module provides a solid introduction to both the Perl programming language and to writing CGI scripts using Perl.

Audience
Developers and system administrators who wish to develop programs or CGI scripts on either Unix or Windows 95/98/NT platforms using the Perl programming language.

Prerequisites
Programming experience is helpful, but not required. Basic knowledge of HTML is required. If the course is run on Unix, experience using Unix and Unix-based text editors is also required.

Hardware and Software
Perl 5 compiled and installed on the platform of choice. PCs or workstations capable of running a Perl 5 development environment. A CGI-capable Web server. The systems should be able to load a 3.5” DOS-formatted solution disk.

Format

• Presentation
  
• Hands-on
  

Objectives
After completing this course, participants should be able to:

• Explain the history and structure of the Perl programming language
• Define CGI and explain its use in Web development
• Describe Perl syntax
• Write Perl programs
• Explain the process flow for CGI Web applications
• Write CGI scripts to handle HTML form processing
• Use Server Side Includes (SSI) for server-side processing
• Build complex CGI applications that require sessions, such as shopping carts

Getting Started

Perl Basics–Operators and Flow Control

• Operators
  • various operators
  • operator precedence
• Flow Control

Working with Scalar Variables in Perl

• Integer and Floating Point Scalars
• String Scalars

Working with List Variables in Perl

• Introduction to List Variables
• Working with Lists
• Manipulating Lists

Working with Hashes in Perl

• Introduction to Hashes
• Working with Hashes

Reading, Writing, and Manipulating Files in Perl

Pattern Matching in Perl

• Basic Pattern Matching
• Advanced Pattern Matching

Coding Efficiently Using Subroutines

CGI Basics

• CGI Basics
• Environment Variables
• Input/Output

Form Processing

• General Form processing
• Debugging CGI Programs
• CGI.pm

Form Fields, SSI, OO-Perl

• Detailed HTML Form Fields
• SSI, URL Rewriting
• Object Oriented Perl

Shopping Carts and Sessions

• Reading/Writing Files
• Sessions and Shopping Carts
• Cookies

Appendix A: Advanced Topics

• References
• Packages
• Modules