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Always remember that when you work with a cgi script there are two elements: the html in your web page and the cgi script on the server. Before you do all the work of designing a form and coding it into your web page, make sure that your server will allow you to run the cgi script and find out where the script is supposed to be stored at the server.

W3C about cgi security

Common Gateway Interface scripts can constitute a security risk, so some servers will not let you run scripts or insist that you use only the scripts they have on their site. Before you try using a script that you post on a server, be sure to read the W3C comments about cgi security and look over the list of articles about cgi security compiled by Paul Phillips.

Readings about cgi security

Before you pick out a project for practice, make sure your server will support what you attempt. Geocities and Xoom, for example, will only let you use their cgi scripts for setting up a guest book or installing a clock or having an order form for a book publisher. If you use one of these prefabricated scripts, the process is quite simple; you just cut and paste in the appropriate words to customize the script and install it on your page.

Sites with cgi support

There are servers who support cgi for free web pages, however, if you want to have more freedom to experiment.

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