I thought that I could buy wisdom in the form of yet another $45 book (JavaScript, the Definitive Guide, David Flanagan, O'Reilly and Assoc., 4th. ed., 2002), and it is well written; however, I am struggling with this code. 
print $cgi->start_form(
                -name=>"apps_menu",
                -method=>"GET",
                -action=>'javascript:ap_namex',
                -onsubmit=>"return checkForm( this );"
);

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The following Perl/JavaScript:URL scenario successfully assigns the value from a drop-down menu to the previously ,declared "global" var, ap_namex. 
-onclick=>"javascript:ap_namex=form['ap_name'].value"

[download]
. . .however, the "-action" taken "-onsubmit" is not what I expected. Essentially, I am (am I?) trying to "globally scope" a JavaScript var and convey an assigned value to the Perl environment, such that the "-action" operation will execute the desired URL as though it were hard-coded, e.g., -action=>"contacts_01.pl",.

When the javascript:URL executes as per the above code, the URL displayed in my MS/IE v6+ remains the same as the "parent"; however, the displayed name of the window becomes javascript:ap_namex, the window panel is all white except, the value, "contacts_01.pl" is displayed, . . .the only html in the displayable source.

Apparently, the print $cgi->etc. is printing the value of the JavaScript variable, rather than executing it as per my intention. Obviously, I haven't connected all of the dots?

Suggestions?

Thanks, Ron W.

In reply to JavaScript to Perl: "-action" "-onsubmit" by rtwingfield

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