CGI PROGRAMMING AND SERVER SCRIPTS
The web server supports a programming interface called CGI (Common
Gateway Interface) which allows a program to be executed on the server
in response to a URL reference in a web page. CGI programs are used to
provide functions not available directly from the web server. (A common
use is to support forms and we provide a couple of CGI programs --
AnyForm
and
Fileform
-- that you may find simpler to use than writing your own.) CGI programs
can be written in just about any language and on our server the most
likely choices are Perl, Python, PHP, C, or shell scripts. More
information about CGI programming is available from the web from the
usual sources of HTML and web server documentation.
Our web server has limited resources which must be primarily directed
toward its function of serving web pages. Scripts which consume
excessive resources or interfere with service to other users cannot be
allowed. Please discuss your requirements with us if you have questions.
We don't have the resources to debug your scripts!
To reduce the security problems inherent with CGI programs we support
them using something called CGI Wrap. This allows your CGI programs to
be run under your web user name and minimize the chances that your
program will have unintended side-effects that could affect other users.
Be aware that CGI programs can still cause considerable damage to your
files, as can any program. Care in writing and testing is still required!
To use CGI Wrap, follow this procedure:
1. Create a directory called cgi-bin in your home www directory. It must
be set for global read and execute permission (mask 755). Note that this
directory must reside in a user's www directory
(~user/www/cgi-bin)! It cannot be located in the /www/htdocs area.
2. Put your executable CGI program in this www/cgi-bin directory. Be
sure they are also globally readable and executable.
3. The URL to execute your program will be:
http://www.uky.edu/cgi-bin/cgiwrap/~username/scriptname
where username is your web user name and scriptname
is your CGI program.
This page was last updated on 2004-12-01.
Please direct questions and comments regarding this page to
webmaster@www.uky.edu.
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