Kenneth C. Mansfield Jr..
Professor, Computer Studies Department

Introduction to CGI Programming,
CST-124

Textbooks: CGI Internet Programming with C/C++ by Mark Felton
and
Perl and CGI for the World Wide Web by Elizabeth Castro

Click this link to go to the WebCT On-line course.

Course Description
Lecture Topics
Week by Week Activities
Laboratory Activities

Related Links

Go to the CGI Links
Go to the CGI Applications
Go to the Networking Links
Go to the Software Links

Course Description

CST-124 is an introduction to Common Gateway Interface (CGI) programming. CGI is used to develop server side application programs for the World Wide Web. The basic coverage of CGI programming includes developing the relationship between HTML coding and the actual CGI program. The main emphasis will be placed on developing and debugging CGI applications written in C/C++. In addition, the PERL programing language will also be discussed.

Several different methods of program input will be covered, such as environment variables, hidden variables, and data that comes from HTML forms. Program output using plain text and HTML will be covered in detail. Each student will be expected to write several CGI programs to experience and explore some of the common activities associated with CGI application programming.

Objectives:

1. To write CGI programs using C/C++ and PERL.
2. To understand the type of services available on the server and how to execute CGI applications.
3. To learn about the differences between the use of GET and POST options inside of a form in an HTML document.
4. To determine the types of input data sources are available and how they can be used effectively.
5. To explore how the output of a CGI program can be displayed by a WWW browser.

Lecture Topics

Here is a list of topics that will be discussed during the semester:

CGI Background Information and History
HTTP Hardware Platforms
Operating System Basics
HTTP server security
HTML and Forms
CGI Basics
Environment types
Environment variables
Application types
Programming Basics
CGI Thru Mode
PERL CGI Programming
C/C++ CGI Programming
Debugging CGI programs
File I/O Using C/C++
Hidden Variables, fields, and buttons
Tables
E-mail
Image maps
CGI image controls
Animation Analysis Security
Advanced Capabilities
Data Security
Networking

Week by Week Activities

Week 1

HTTP Servers and the Common Gateway Interface
C/C++ File I/O

Week 2

HTML and Forms
Environment Variables

Week 3

PERL Programming
CGI Programming Fundamentals


Week 4

C/C++ CGI Programming
CGI Application Types


Week 5

CGI Thru Mode


Week 6

HTML Tables
HTML Forms

Week 7

Test #1

Week 8

Hidden Variables

Week 9

Meta Controls

Week 10

Page Counters

Week 11

Image Maps and Image Controls

Week 12

Cookies

Week 13

Animation

Week 14

Test #2

Week 15

Emerging WWW Technologies

Lab Assignments (Topics and Links)

Week 1

HTTP Server Investigation
Operating Systems Introduction

Week 2

Computer Account Setup
HTML Template Assignment
CGI Test Pages Assignment

Week 3

Sample HTML/Form
Sample PERL Application Programs


Week 4

Sample HTML/Form
Sample Lab 4 C++ source code for Windows and Linux

Week 5

Sample Lab 5 C++ source code for Windows and Linux
Sample Lab 5 C source code for OpenVMS


Week 6

Basic CGI application program development

Week 7

C/C++ GET

Week 8

Sample Data Validation Source Code
Sample Thru Mode Source Code

Week 9

C/C++ POST

Week 10

C/C++ POST (continued)

Week 11

Tables

Week 12

Tables (continued)

Week 13

Approved Project

Week 14

Approved Project

© 2000-04 Kenneth C. Mansfield Jr.