Instant CGI/Perl

Create useful, dynamic Web pages and applications by matching the consistency of CGI with the efficiency of Perl. This powerful guide offers out-of-the-box applications you can install on your Web site, plus an in-depth examination of the object library for advanced exploration of functionality. Build information-rich relationships with users that include secure transfer of everything from names and passwords to targeted information in multi-tiered shopping carts. Topical organization will help you find what you need rapidly and begin transforming your Web site today.

With this book you'll learn about:

• Information sharing techniques, including sessions
• Data abstraction and management with DataSource
• Application objects
• Web programming with existing database architectures

All the applications covered are WAP and XML ready. The scripts work easily with Oracle, Sybase, MySQL, and most relational databases; directory services such as LDAP; security architectures using PKI, secure ID, PGP, or HTTPS; Perl accelerators such as mod_perl or Velocogen.

Important coverage includes:

• Toolkit and architecture overviews
• CGI installation and customization
• Setting and archiving files
• Modifying Perl paths
• Understanding and using eXtropia apps
• Managing and protecting data, plus application security

ON THE VALUE-PACKED CD-ROM:

• Object libraries from eXtropia
• Professional scripts
• Ready-to-run Web-based data management and other useful apps

Pt. 1 Understanding the Applications 1

• Ch. 1 Introduction 3
• Ch. 2 The Basics of Installation 23
• Ch. 3 Configuring eXtropia Applications with the Application Executable 99
• Ch. 4 Controlling Application Workflow with Action Handlers 165
• Ch. 5 Defining Application Look and Feel with Views 201
• Ch. 6 Advanced Application Configuration 267
• Ch. 7 Simple Form Processing 319
• Ch. 8 Database Frontends 355
• Ch. 9 Process-Management Applications 395

• Ch. 10 Application Toolkit Architecture 442
• Ch. 11 Designing User Interfaces with Views and Filters 539
• Ch. 12 Processing Incoming Data with DataHandler 567
• Ch. 13 Locking Resources with Extropia::Lock 637
• Ch. 14 Protecting Data with Extropia::Encrypt 661
• Ch. 15 Generating Keys with KeyGenerator 693
• Ch. 16 Generating Unique Files with UniqueFile 711
• Ch. 17 Sending Email from Applications Using Extropia::Mail 721
• Ch. 18 Maintaining State with Session and SessionManager 735
• Ch. 19 Accessing Data Anywhere with Extropia::DataSource 791
• Ch. 20 Implementing Web Application Security with Extropia::Auth 885
• Ch. 21 Logging with Extropia::Log 949
• Index 969