Frequently, we see Monks asking for online CGI information. However, they're not just looking for a FAQ or a security bulletin. They want to learn how to use Perl with CGI and this implies a tutorial. Unfortunately, most online CGI tutorials suck. Does anyone know of a good online CGI course? Failing that, are there any good Perl/CGI books aimed at beginners?

My basic criteria would be the following:

• Suitable for people of middle to low experience with Perl.
• Security is dealt with immediately and not as an afterthought. Security concerns are highlighted and appropriate methods of dealing with them are discussed.
• CGI.pm is used. I don't care if the author explains the basics of how this works -- after all, it's good to know what's under the hood -- but then the CGI module had better be used consistently.
• The -w switch and use strict pragma are introduced quickly and used throughout the course.
• Good programming techniques are evident.

Is this asking too much? I know that you get what you pay for when it comes to free courses, but for the Perl community it seems like someone would have come forward. If they have, I haven't found them (though that's not saying that they don't exist).

For those inclined to mention merlyn's excellent Web Techniques column, it fails the "aimed at beginner" criteria.

Cheers,
Ovid

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