Are there any free CGI compilers and writers?

labrynth_of_fire · #1 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 01:03 PM

I am interested in learning how to program with CGI and would prefer to do it by hand with a free program any reccomendations?

redcircle · #2 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 02:30 PM

PHP is a free CGI language www.php.net and you can program it in notepad.

AlexBel · #3 (**permalink**) 11-13-2003, 03:07 PM

Free is Perl (for me it is best solution) and PHP.

If you want equal Perl script, clean code that you can use in C, you usually need to rewrite the Perl program in C. Only each platform (OS) has different environment and different applications for compiling codes.
Or you can use Perl2Exe. It is a command-line utility that converts Perl code into an executable for almost any mainstream platform (Win32, Solaris, Linux, etc.).

paulhiles · #4 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 02:24 AM

As redcircle mentioned, you don't really need any proprietary software to write CGI scripts, notepad or a similar text editor would suffice. I would personally recommend the following book as an introduction: "Perl and CGI for the world wide web - Elizabeth Castro" - it's a really nice read, and contains 'easy to follow' sample scripts to demonstrate all the common functions.

Good luck to you, let us know how you get on!

Paul

venezart · #5 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 02:49 AM

Hey labrynth_of_fire,
If you just beginning with CGI, I recomened PHP, since its very easy to use and their is plenty of research and scripts on the net that will get you started. Also they have a really easy book that will get you started is called" PHP fast & easy, web development [ISBN: 0-7615-3055-x] you could get it from amazon for about $15.

You could find more info here-->[ http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...roduct-details ]

Vª

venezart · #6 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 02:54 AM

I also wanted to add to my response above, that PHP will also be a good pick since you could use PHP with ActionScript, providing you with a great tool for user interaction and dynamic content in FLASH.

Vª

labrynth_of_fire · #7 (**permalink**) 11-14-2003, 05:57 PM

cool, Ive never used flash yet. It makes VERY good looking pages like
www.mushroomhead.org (the website of my faaavorite band) :D

mike berend · #8 (**permalink**) 11-15-2003, 05:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlexBel

Free is Perl (for me it is best solution) and PHP.

If you want equal Perl script, clean code that you can use in C, you usually need to rewrite the Perl program in C. Only each platform (OS) has different environment and different applications for compiling codes.
Or you can use Perl2Exe. It is a command-line utility that converts Perl code into an executable for almost any mainstream platform (Win32, Solaris, Linux, etc.).