cgi_to_mod_perl(3)

NAME

       cgi_to_mod_perl - First steps needed to use mod_perl as a CGI replace-
       ment

DESCRIPTION

       As the README and other mod_perl documents explain, mod_perl as a CGI
       replacement is only a small piece of what the package offers.  However,
       it is the most popular use of mod_perl, this document is here so you
       can cut to the chase.

INSTALLATION

       Read the INSTALL document, in most cases, nothing more is required
       than:

        perl Makefile.PL && make && make install

CONFIGURATION

       For using mod_perl as a CGI replacement, the recommended configuration
       is as follows:

        Alias /perl/  /real/path/to/perl-scripts/

        <Location /perl>
        SetHandler  perl-script
        PerlHandler Apache::Registry
        Options +ExecCGI
        </Location>

       `Location' refers to the uri, not a directory, think of the above as

        <Location http://www.yourname.com/perl>

       Any files under that location (which live on your filesystem under
       /real/path/to/perl-scripts/), will be handled by the Apache::Registry
       module, which emulates the CGI environment.  The file must exist and be
       executable, in addition,  'Options ExecCGI' must be turned on.

       If you wish to have mod_perl execute scripts in any location based on
       file extension, use a configuration like so:

        <Files ~ "\.pl$">
        SetHandler perl-script
        PerlHandler Apache::Registry
        Options ExecCGI
        </Files>

       Note that `ScriptAlias' does _not_ work for mod_perl.

PORTING CGI SCRIPTS

       I/O If you are using Perl 5.004 most CGI scripts can run under mod_perl
           untouched.  If you're using 5.003, Perl's built-in "read()" and
           "print()" functions do not work as they do under CGI.  If you're
           using CGI.pm, use "$query->print" instead of plain 'ol "print()".

       HEADERS
           By default, mod_perl does not send any headers by itself, however,
           you may wish to change this:

               PerlSendHeader On

           Now the response line and common headers will be sent as they are
           by mod_cgi.  And, just as with mod_cgi, PerlSendHeader will not
           send a terminating newline, your script must send that itself,
           e.g.:

            print "Content-type: text/html\n\n";

           If you're using CGI.pm and 'print $q->header' you do _not_ need
           "PerlSendHeader On".

       NPH SCRIPTS
           To run a CGI `nph' script under mod_perl, simply add to your code:

            local $| = 1;

           If you normally set PerlSendHeader On, add this to your httpd.conf:

            <Files */nph-*>
            PerlSendHeader Off
            </Files>

       PROGRAMMING PRACTICE
           CGI lets you get away with sloppy programming, mod_perl does not.
           Why?  CGI scripts have the lifetime of a single HTTP request as a
           separate process.  When the request is over, the process goes away
           and everything is cleaned up for you, e.g. globals variables, open
           files, etc.  Scripts running under mod_perl have a longer lifetime,
           over several request, different scripts may be in the same process.
           This means you must clean up after yourself.  You've heard:

            always 'use strict' and C<-w>!!!

           It's more important under mod_perl Perl than anywhere else, while
           it's not required, it strongly recommended, it will save you more
           time in the long run.  And, of course, clean scripts will still run
           under CGI!

       TRAPS
           See mod_perl_traps.

REPORTING PROBLEMS

       Read the SUPPORT file.

SEE ALSO

       Apache::PerlRun(3)

perl v5.8.8                       1999-01-17                cgi_to_mod_perl(3)