First, try adding the interpreter you need to run the program - depending on your OS, you may need to add: 
#!/usr/bin/perl

[download]
at the start of your "runthis.pl".

The second thing is that you should check the return value after running the command in backticks. Try this: 

my @ret = `\usr\bin\perl ./runthis.pl`;
if ($?) {
   die "Error running \[runthis.pl] : $!";
}

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Getting errors back to the user's web page when running under CGI is non-trivial.
Look at the CGI::Carp module, and the "fatalsToBrowser" option.

Update:Fixed a few typos.

             "By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest."           -Confucius

In reply to Re: output of one program doesn't show in another on server by NetWallah
in thread output of one program doesn't show in another on server by gideondsouza

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