CGI Programming 101

This book shows you how to add a guestbook, order form, page counter, or other interactive elements to your website using Perl and CGI. You'll learn:

• Where to write your CGI programs; how to upload them and set file permissions; how to run them, and how to debug them when things go wrong

• How to decode form data and save it to a file or e-mail it to yourself

• How to create, read, write, and search files

• How to use Server-Side Includes to add dynamic content to your web site, plus a complete list of Apache SSI directives

• How to use random numbers for displaying banner ads and random images 

• How to redirect visitors to another site

• How to extend your programs with modules

• How to create a MySQL database, and write programs that interact with databases using the DBI module

• How to build an online shopping cart

• How to e-mail attachments with a CGI

• How to write secure programs, and protect your programs against hackers and spammers

• How to password-protect an area of your website

. . . and much more!

Visit www.cgi101.com/book to read the first six chapters online, and to view sample code from the book.