PERL Scripts - setting up a newsboard/guestbook

CGI Scripts | Javascript | PHP | Server Side Includes (SSI's)

PERL... it has been around a long time and is probably the most common, server based scripting language used on the internet. Actually it's a lot more than just a scripting language - you can write fully blown systems with PERL. And it is Free!

Just type PERL into any search engine and you'll come up with millions of references. A lot of PERL Scripts can be used simply by copying/pasting into a new file, doing a bit of configuring and sticking it in your CGI bin (in the case of WebServUSB the 'scripts' folder).

For PERL to work with WebServUSB you will need to install it onto the system where WebServUSB resides. Make sure it is in the root directory. We use ActiveState PERL Version 5.6.8 which works well under a Windows environment. It can be downloaded at: Active State PERL. Install, following its instructions (make sure it is in your hard disk's root directory) and you're ready to go. Once installed, It can betried out with the PERL test in WebServUSB's documentation and it will show if it worked immediately.

Included in this manual is a tutorial for a nice newsboard/guestbook script named Active Newsboard (you'll need to download it). I like it because it uses many server side functions including a management console that you can configure to your heart's content. By doing this you will learn quite a lot about scripts and how they can be used.

Need graphical web statistics from WebServUSB? Its easy! See a live demo online

WebServUSB - The World's smallest webserver in a USB plug! WebServUSB - The World's smallest webserver in a USB plug! WebServUSB - The World's smallest webserver in a USB plug!

See Installing AWSTATS on WebServUSB 


* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * Important Info for making PERL work ! * * * * * * * * * * * *
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

*** A ***

- for a PERL script to work on WebServUSB you will need to alter the path to PERL. What's that? It is the bit of code at the very top of every PerlScript that tells the script where PERL resides on your server. Normally it's:

    #!/usr/bin/perl    On WebServUSB you must change that to:
     
    #!perl       . . . . Then save the script.

O t h e r w i s e   n o t h i n g  w i l l   h a p p e n.

*** B ***

- scripting languages are very persnickity about the editor used to write a script. Never, ever, under any circumstances use MSWord, WordPerfect, Star, Claris or any other word processer (wp) in existance - when writing or editing scripts. This is because wp's format stuff, insert invisible filehead tags, and generally screw things up big time for scripting languages of any platform.

Use notepad or Arachnophilia (PC) or the old Apple Teachtext (MAC. note: Simpletext formats stuff). Mac users also have BBedit Lite which is very useful and free. Plus there are various Script editors available, that you can use, which are set up specifically for PERL, PHP, JavaScript . . . etc-etc.

Also see the ISAPI/CGI configuration window for setting path to PERL (pop up)