CGI Programming 201 is available now. Click here to order!

by Jacqueline Hamilton

This sequel to CGI Programming 101 shows you how to tackle advanced multi-script CGI projects by creating your own Web message board. This book covers:

• Site Design: Who is your site for? What tasks will visitors perform?
• MySQL Database Design
• Developing a central module for your project
• How to choose, download and install Perl modules from CPAN
• How to filter out HTML tags from messages
• How to limit the number of messages displayed per page
• How to create a password-protected administration area for your message board, with scripts to let you manage the board
• How to expire old messages automatically
• How to convert your message board scripts into a Web Log ("blog") for online journals or news stories

This book assumes you have some CGI programming experience. If you're just starting out, you should pick up a copy of CGI Programming 101 and work through that first.

Table of Contents

All of the code from the book can be downloaded here. If you prefer you can also download the complete forums code (8K tarred/gzipped archive). Read the README file for installation instructions.

1. Site Design and Usability
2. Database Design
3. Message Board Module
4. Viewing All Forums
5. Viewing All Messages in a Forum
6. Posting a New Message
7. Reading Individual Messages
8. Replying to Messages
9. Tidying Up forum.cgi
10. Searching the Forums
11. Setting Up an Admin Area
12. Creating, Editing, and Deleting Forums
13. Deleting and Expiring Messages
14. Board Administration and Security
Conclusion
Appendix A: Online Resources
Appendix B: Converting Your Message Board into a Blog