[workshop] Idiots Guide to CGI

[Steve Holden]

Andy Todd wrote:

> I just need a starter on setting up CGI on my account at cornerhost.
> I've got the worlds simplest CGI script written in Python but I don't
> know where to put it or what file suffix I need to give it, etc.
>
> I'm quite happy with static html and I can program in Python, I just
> need a little Apache/CGI help. Thanks in advance.

The things that gave me a little trouble were:

a) My particular FTP tool couldn't make the CGI scripts excecutable (sheesh,
Windows software...). Michal set the permissions for me before I wrote my
Python distribution program (for the site's makefile to drive), and now I
have a shell account so I can do what I want.

b) I needed to make python files recognised as executable content. I chose
to retain the .py extension and so I had to my .htaccess file. If you want
to go that way just add an .htaccess file that says:

   AddHandler cgi-script py

However, you'l probably find that *.cgi is already treated as executable (as
long as the permissions are correct), and in that case it's just a matter of
the right shebang line ... start your scripts with

    #!/usr/bin/python

and all should be well.

Anything else?

regards
 Steve
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Steve Holden                                 http://www.holdenweb.com/
Python Web Programming                http://pydish.holdenweb.com/pwp/
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