As most has been already to varying degrees been pointed out accurately, I will comment on some subtle but essential details (forgive my offtopicness):

1.) Numerical comparisons are handled by the == comparator

Substitute


if ($connect eq 1) {
}

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with


if ($connect) {
}

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or (unnecessary)


if ($connect == 1) {
}

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2.) Use here docs

Instead of saying


print "<center>";
print "<H2> Error: Could not connect to server </H2>";
print "Please Try again later";
print "<HR></center>";

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use


print <<'HTML';
<center>
<H2> Error: Could not connect to server </H2>
Please Try again later
<HR></center>
HTML

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3.) use strict && use warnings

Always use strict. Always use warnings. Those will prevent a good amount of self-induced headache; latter should be omitted in ``production" code.

In reply to subtle details by Anonymous Monk
in thread permission problems between commandline and CGI by parkprimus

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