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This article is meant to provide information about the Common Gateway Interface (CGI), its operation and uses along with its advantages and disadvantages.<br>
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Information about Common Gateway Interface (CGI) What is understood by CGI? CGI is the abbreviation for Common Gateway Interface and is the protocol that enables the communication of a web server with scripts and other software. It can be understood as an intersection among web servers, which ensures standardized data exchange to take place between external applications and servers. It is among the oldest online interface technologies that exist and is still in regular use. CGI ensures that HTML pages do not need to be stored on a server, when CGI is used. In this scenario, HTML pages can be created dynamically every time a user makes a website query. CGI offers a simple solution for creating a server-side dynamic web page that is able to display different content every time that it is viewed. In the context of web servers, it becomes imperative to provide information about web hosting, which refers to certain paid services, such as leasing server space as well as providing necessary technology and services that enable a website to become accessible over the Internet. These services are offered in the form of various packages that are meant to cater to different kinds of web hosting. It is the web server that is provided by these web hosting companies that stores the files of a website. Certain terms that refer to a web hosting company are “TopCloud Hosting Company”, the “Best Windows Hosting Company in India” as well as“Website Hosting Companies in India”. How CGI operates? The mode of operation of CGI is explained here. Every time that a user makes an entry on a website, the relevant data doesn’t get transferred directly to the server. It gets processed first, which is done by an external software, such as a CGI script. This processing doesn’t happen through a web server. The data is transmitted by the program through a standardized CGI intersection. This ensures the production of the information in HTML. A special folder on a web server usually retains CGI programs. Various programming languages can be used to compose the CGI script. The CGI makes sure that the web server is able to communicate with the script, irrespective of the language that has been used.
Where can a CGI be used? Certain applications that use a CGI are comments, forms, shopping basket, software tests and website statistics. In the case of a shopping basket, whenever a buyer adds a product to his online shopping basket, the relevant information is processed automatically by a CGI script, prior to sending it to the server. When a user fills any comments’ section online or any online form, the information is processed by the CGI before being transmitted to the server. Any website that displays visitor hit rates, typically uses a CGI. CGI scripts are used by developers to test functions related to websites’ external online applications. To digress, with regard to web servers of web hosting service providers, these store the files of websites. These web hosts are often known as the “Top Cloud Hosting Company” or the “Best Windows Hosting Company in India” or“Website Hosting Companies in India”. What are the advantages of CGI? Dynamic website content can be generated by CGI in a very effective way. Moreover, it is free of charge. Another benefit offered by CGI is that CGI applications need not be saved on a server. This prevents any unnecessary usage of resources. Additionally, CGI offers compatibility with various programming languages that can be integrated easily into the infrastructure that already exists and developers can use it instantly. What are the disadvantages of CGI? Its major disadvantage is that it is time consuming with regard to the time taken to reply to CGI applications. Each new entry requires the program to be restarted. This can cause problems for those websites that get a high traffic. In the absence of adequate security measures, the Common Gateway Interface can pose a security threat. Restrictions need to be imposed on CGI scripts to ensure safety of data, as a web server’s data can be accessed by external programs through the CGI. Source: http://prsync.com/hts-hosting/information-about-common-gateway-interface-cgi-3359644/