Easy CGI 1.0

Easy CGI is a package of Delphi 2 units and sample programs to support the creation of dynamic Internet/Internet applications using CGI, a standard for external gateway programs to interface with information servers such as HTTP servers (for details refer to NCSA). Web applications created with Delphi and this toolbox are extremely fast and easy to handle because the result is a native Win32 EXE-file with the following advantages:

very small code size
no additional DLLs or interpreters required - a prerequisite for fast CGI applications

The toolbox uses the standardized CGI interface because

it´s supported by nearly every web server in the same manner
you don't have to care for proprietary interfaces (like IS-API, NS-API etc.) of different web servers.

CGI programs created with Delphi 2.0 run on every Win32 system like Windows 95, Windows NT and OS/2 Warp (with Win32 extensions installed - currently not tested).

Included in this package you will find sample programs that demonstrate how to

use Borlands powerful database engine (BDE) to access local or distributed databases (dBase, Paradox, ODBC or SQL)
create high sophisticated 3 Tier client/server web applications

Using OLE automation (if you prefer modern naming conventions: ActiveX) your CGI program can communicate with any other component / application that provides OLE server services (e.g. MS Excel, MS Word, MS Access or even SAP R/3!). This modern concept allows you to control transactions split into any number of consecutive screens and using applications distributed over a variety of systems. In one of our projects we used this toolbox to setup an easy-to-use consumer-to-business scenario where the user can purchase nice things with his electronic shopping basket that finally places a sales order online real time into a SAP R/3 system - contact the author for detailed information.

The Easy CGI package contains 2 units (CgiUtil and HTMLUtil) and a sample application for a guest book using three different methods to access data.

CgiUtil

This unit provides a powerful class to make the CGI communication with a web server as easy and fast as possible. Access the fieldnames, field values and parameters sent by the web server simply and comfortable as arrays/stringlists with a minimum of programming overhead. You don't have to care for handling different communication methods like GET or POST, conversion of special characters and translation of logical to physical path names.

For details see documentation.

HtmlUtil

This unit contains a set of functions to support the creation of dynamic web pages. You will find functions to create basic HTML prologues as well as advanced functions for dynamic tables and forms. A very powerful function is included to merge predefined HTML template pages with data retrieved online by your application. A very comfortable way to get nice looking dynamic, interactive pages with a minimum of programming.

For details see documentation.

Sample Application: Guest Book

The guest book sample program makes excessive use of the units CgiUtil and HtmlUtil; it can be compiled in three different ways:

1. Using simple database procedures contained in the unit CgiUtil.

Advantages:
- small code size (approx. 73KB)
- fast (nearly no overhead for database initialization)
Disadvantages:
- less flexibility to add advanced database features

2. Using the BDE (Borland Database Engine) to access databases (in this example a DBF-file)

Advantages:
- high flexibility to add advanced database features and access to ODBC / SQL databases
Disadvantages:
- longer loading times due to bigger code size (approx. 347 KB)
- slower (due to overhead for database initialization), but fast for complex database access

3. Using MS Excel via OLE automation (ActiveX) to access a table stored in dBase format (DBF-file)

Advantages:
- small code size (approx. 87KB)
- fast (for small tables)
- can be extended to powerful 3 Tier client/server application with distributed functionality (e.g. VisualBasic macros coded in Excel can be remote-controlled)
Disadvantages:
- high memory requirements
- overhead when OLE connection to Excel is setup for the first time
- Excel license required

The guest book application also shows how to merge data into predefined HTML template pages to minimize programming overhead and to improve the layout of dynamically created pages.

For details see documentation.

Differences between Shareware and Registered Version

The shareware version contains all Delphi units (binaries and interface descriptions) and the source code for the three variants of the sample guest book application plus HTML templates. The shareware units will include a short message in the dynamically created web pages and will run only until 31.Dec.1998.

The registered version additionally contains the source code for all units (without shareware messages and time limitations).

Registration is only US$ 19.00 or DM 29,- !

Please use the following order form.

For orders inside Europe:

Send cash or EC-cheque to:
(Companies can order also by fax: +49 40 8813864)

H. Hackbarth
Hellgrund 84
D-22880 Wedel
- Germany -

Or you may make a money order to account 73717 at Stadtsparkasse Wedel, Germany, BLZ 22151730

For orders outside Europe:

Send cash (no foreign cheques) to:

H. Hackbarth
Hellgrund 84
D-22880 Wedel
- Germany -

Additional payment methods will be added in the future - please contact the author!

You will receive the registered version as eMail. If you prefer the program on disk with printed documentation, please add additional US$ 5.00 / DM 5,00 (inside Germany).

To contact the author: Send eMail

to ach@bitsmart.com

Copyright © 1997 H.Hackbarth. All rights reserved.
Information in this document is subject to change without notice. Other products and companies mentioned are registered trademarks of the related licence owners.
Last updated: 01.03.98