CGI Scripts on Macintosh

The process is essentially the same as serving up HTML pages:

• The Macintosh must be configured as a local web server.
  • Microsoft Personal Web Server must be running.
• CGI scripts are then placed in in My Personal Web Site Folder (or sub-folders) on the Maclab Hard Disk.
• The URL for the CGI script is http://macname.cs.cf.ac.uk where macname is the name of the Macintosh you currently using. The name should be printed on a label on the front of the machine.

NOTE:

• Make sure the CGI script works correctly before you try running over the Mac Web Server.
  • IF NOT The Macintosh is likely to crash.
  • MacPerl can check for a Perl script running correctly.
• (On Macintosh Only) A Perl script has to converted form perl source code to a Macintosh runnable CGI file.
  • MacPerl is used to do this.
• All supporting files (perl files, data) must be placed in the same folder as the main perl script.
  • Later as perl files get larger we may wish to (or indeed have to) split or perl program over several files.
  • Several useful Perl libraries exist to save us coding common tasks (e.g. CGI input from a form). We will meet these shortly.
• Files are not permanently stored on a macintosh. Once the Macintosh is restarted (If the CGI script crashes the Mac!!) the files may be lost.
  • Make sure you backup regularly to floppy disk or permanent UNIX storage