Lynda.COM CGI Essential Training

Author:
Bill Weinman

Duration:
01h 33m

Released on:
1/7/2010

Exercise files:
Yes

Software works on:
Windows only


CGI Essential Training highlights the skills required to build common gateway interface (CGI) scripts that allow web forms to interact with applications on a web server. Instructor Bill Weinman explains how these scripts can be used for simple interactive applications written in any programming language. Bill shows how to use CGI to set up an HTML template with hidden fields for use with a web server application. Exercise files accompany this course.
Topics include:

    Understanding the server requirements for CGI
    Installing CGI scripts on Unix and Windows servers
    Coding form elements into an HTML page
    Keeping context with hidden fields on a web form
    Learning best practices for creating CGI content



Introduction
Welcome           01m 02s
Using the exercise files           01m 50s
Prerequisites           00m 47s

1. Understanding CGI
What is CGI?           02m 51s
Understanding server requirements           06m 03s

2. Getting Started with CGI
Introducing the test.cgi script           02m 02s
Installing the test.cgi script on a Unix server           04m 13s
Installing the test.cgi script on a Windows server           04m 15s
Using a web form with the test script           02m 14s

3. How CGI Works
How CGI works           03m 25s
Understanding environment variables           08m 30s
Understanding the query string           06m 02s

4. Processing Forms with CGI
Coding form elements into an HTML page           14m 09s
Using hidden fields           02m 36s
Getting data from the form elements           03m 20s

5. A Case Study
Overview of the case study           01m 31s
Installing the contact.cgi script on a Unix server           06m 46s
Installing the contact.cgi script on a Windows server           07m 41s
Using HTML templates           02m 36s
Keeping context with hidden fields           02m 21s
Integrating the CGI into the site           04m 25s

6. CGI Best Practices
Best practices for creating CGI content           04m 30s

Conclusion
Goodbye           00m 34s