Apache and Perl stubs...

Hello Folks,

I am literally new to this interesting world of "Servers".

I have installed Apache 2.0 and active Perl 5.8 as I am suppose to write stubs in Perl. I am in a complete mess. I dunno how to code in HTML leave aside working on Apache and Perl. But it's the Project requirement and after listening to so many interesting things about Web-Servers, I wanna DO IT.

I specifically need following info:
1. How Perl and Apache are related?
2. How to write stubs in Perl?
3. What things can be achieved using the settings of Apache?
4. Where do I start for doing HTML in a real quick speed and move on to ASP and Perl?

Folks, I m not at all embarassed in asking such basic questions.
Pls help me in this regard. (And pls suggest me some links which provide End-to-End info on these questions)

Thanx a lot in advance
Nishant.

Welcome to the forum!

As far as learning the topic of HTML, I'd recommend http://www.w3schools.com/ or even some tutorials on this site/devshed network.

Apache is a web server, Perl is a compiler... when you go to your site from the internet [specifically a Perl/CGI page], Apache tells Perl to run the specified program/script, and then it returns the results to your browser.

Writing stubs and Apache settings are best learnt on your own... let google be your guide.

Hii,

thanx ton for your reply. Well, I am bit in breathe with HTML now, but, as far as Perl is concerned I m in complete mess. Just dunno where to begin as "googling" for Perl resulted in a lot of material but of least use as everything was related to Unix based Perl scripting.

So, I'll be gra8ly obliged if someone comes up with info on how really start from scratch for Perl scrpting on WinNT.

Also, I am clueless about stubs and other parts, therefore, it'll be gra8 if I get to any example of stub scipted in Perl.

Spceifically I need following:
1. An example of calling a Perl script called in an HTML page(a simple example will do, as I am not very familiar with HTML as well, though not naive to it now!!).
2. What editor should I use for perl scrpting and where & how do I need to execute these scripts.

I am using WinNT and not Unix.

Thanx it advance.

Best regards,
Nishant.

Check out Eclipse it has a nice perl plugin, for Perl resources check Perldoc It has basicly everything you need there, also CSPAN is a good place to get perl mods.

i'm pretty sure Perl scripting on Windows isn't much different...
just don't forget to use the appropriate shebane line...
most commonly something like #!C:/Perl/bin/Perl.exe
keep close to the forums as i'm sure there's a lot of developers here who can help.

Thanx a ton for the help friends.

But I have one more problem now!!!

I have written a perl file(.pl) which converts an XML into formatted HTML. I placed these files (.pl and .xml) into the CGI-BIN folder of my apache server. But when I try to access the file or for that matter the cgi-bin folder, it says "Internal Server Error"

If I try to drag and drop the .pl file into IE web-browser, it asks me to download it!!! No execution of .pl script on the server!!

I suspect there is a problem with my http.conf file which may not be having entry for executing a perl script. Can you pls help me to do that?

Thanx in advance,
Nishant.