More and more Web developers are turning to the CGI (Common Gateway Interface) protocol to add interactivity and dynamic content to their Web sites. It's the most common method for transferring information between a Web server and a user. And Perl is the ideal language for CGI because it's an easy environment for building and testing simple programs. This book focuses on the principles behind both CGI and Perl to provide you with the most comprehensive reference in the field. Inside, you'll find everything you'll need to know to understand, implement, and customize Web sites with CGI scripts.

The book begins with an overview of CGI fundamentals and shows you how to set up a server for integrating CGI scripts. Hanegan then offers detailed coverage of Perl, including all the syntax for CGI programs. He also shows you how to upload and test scripts, as well as how to use libraries much more effectively. And all of this information is tied together with real-world, step-by-step instructions so that you can create and customize your own applications.

Custom CGI Scripting with Perl is a must-have if you plan on applying CGI to your Web site. This book will help you:

* Set up, develop, and customize your Web site with the help of detailed example source code that's broken down line by line

* Work with HTTP variables to improve your site

* Utilize the print function, variables, subroutines, comparisons, error handling, HTML forms, and other functions

* Customize your applications to meet your business needs

This book is an indispensable resource for Web developers and programmers who program CGI applications in Perl. It is designed to function as both a comprehensive reference to the fundamentals and a hands-on tutorial with detailed examples on creating and customizing CGI applications for the Web. Readers learn how to set up a server for integrating CGI scripts, how to work with HTTP variables, and other important CGI basics. They get a complete review of all the Perl syntax needed to create CGI programs and learn how to upload and test scripts and how to use libraries effectively.