ell337 has asked for the wisdom of the Perl Monks concerning the following question:

I am trying to figure out how to make something work. I'm completely new to CGI programming of any type.

Simply I'm trying to make this site, TRULY work:

http://mywebpages.comcast.net/lateefel/comments/comments.html

I have been told I need to make a mailform that posts it on a page instead of mailing it to me, but I think I need to customize a guestbook.

Well can anyone either help me create this code, or give me a suggestion of where I could find a completely newbie guide for guestbook creating. I'm really annoyed with templates because they always talk about making a guestbook with tons of inputs, log-ins, and posting the entries on a seperate webpage.

Help would be appreciated!

Replies are listed 'Best First'.
(jeffa) Re: Guestbook..or mailform? wha?
by jeffa (Bishop) on Oct 02, 2002 at 01:24 UTC
    My personal opinion on why it is hard to find a newbie guide on this subject is because it is not a newbie subject. Ok, a mailform is fairly trivial but a guestbook involves access to some data file which involves file permissions, file locking, security, etc. I recommend you work you way up instead of jumping right into a writing a guestbook. Why not head on over to Ovid's online Web Programming with Perl course?

    Also, i learned a great deal about CGI from CGI Programming with Perl. It's a bit outdated, but it is still good.

    Finally, check out the repository of NMS scripts. They have a complete and secure Webform and Guestbook, among other common CGI wishlist items. Study the code and learn a lot of good programming habits.

    Best of luck to you, and feel free to post your questions at this site when they arise.

    jeffa

    L-LL-L--L-LL-L--L-LL-L--
    -R--R-RR-R--R-RR-R--R-RR
    B--B--B--B--B--B--B--B--
    H---H---H---H---H---H---
    (the triplet paradiddle with high-hat)
    
Re: Guestbook..or mailform? wha?
by sauoq (Abbot) on Oct 02, 2002 at 01:28 UTC

    It's unlikely that someone is going to agree to do this for you. You should plan on doing it yourself or paying a professional. If you want to do it yourself, the first step is to learn a little about CGI in general. It'll be easier and more fun since you have a particular application in mind. I suggest you read a good on-line tutorial like our very own Ovid's.

    As you progress you will almost certainly run into specific problems which you would like help with. Come back and ask again when that happens. There are many here who are willing to help those people that show they are willing to learn.

    -sauoq
    "My two cents aren't worth a dime.";