Running the CGI script on page load

**lochindaal** · 05-29-2006, 07:06 AM

I have a Perl script that reads a txt database and outputs a table.

How do I get the script to run automatically when a user arrives at my site without them clicking a link.

i.e. they go to www.myhomepage.com

myhomepage.com loads up and displays the perl generated table on the fly

**CyCo** · 05-29-2006, 11:25 AM

Although there are many possible techniques available that will allow one to ascertain the required results, probably the easiest method would be to use SSI.

Code:

<!--#include virtual="/cgi-bin/myscript.pl"-->

Alternative techniques could also include the use of frames or iframes, modules such as HTML::Template, HTML::Mason, or other variations on these themes.

**lochindaal** · 05-29-2006, 01:24 PM

Thanks

Does this code go in the HEAD or BODY of the main HTML file?

**CyCo** · 05-29-2006, 01:37 PM

Place the include into the body, where it's output is to be positioned.

**lochindaal** · 05-29-2006, 01:47 PM

I've made a simple test HTML file (code below) but when I run it nothing happens

<HTML>
<HEAD>
<META NAME="Generator" CONTENT="Cool Page version 2.7 Pro, Aug 11 2001 for Windows">
<BASE TARGET="_top">
<STYLE TYPE="text/css">BODY {margin-left:0; margin-right:0; margin-top:0;}</STYLE>

</HEAD>

<BODY SCROLL="auto" BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" TOPMARGIN=0 LEFTMARGIN=0>

<DIV ID="idElement29" style="position:absolute; top:39px; left:29px; width:224px; height:140px;">

</DIV>
</BODY>
</HTML>

**CyCo** · 05-29-2006, 02:07 PM

First of all, the include should be like this:

Code:

<!--#include virtual="/cgi-bin/news_output.pl"-->

And secondly, the test page should be saved with an extension of .shtml
It appears that you are testing this locally. Have you enabled SSI in your server config?

**lochindaal** · 05-29-2006, 02:54 PM

I don't think SSI can be enabled.

I put the files on line and renamed the test file to .shtml

Now when I run the test file it prints all the code for the .pl file on the screen and creates the table with a $variable inside it.

Do I need to change the set up of the .pl file?

Sorry I thought this was going to be simple when I started