MySQL and Perl for the Web

Book description

MySQL and Perl for the Web provides a much-needed handbook for database and Web developers seeking an extensive and detailed guide for using the combination of MySQL and Perl to build dynamic and interactive database-backed Web sites. It shows how to use Perl's DBI database access module, pairing it with with the CGI.pm module that allows Web pages and forms to be generated and processed easily. These tools provide developers with a solid foundation for creating applications that incorporate database content to create dynamic, up-to-date Web sites.

The book employs a practical learn-by-doing approach that demonstrates development techniques by building complete applications, not just fragmentary pieces. It shows what to do at each step of the way during the process of building live, working examples. Applications are fully explained so you can understand how they work and apply the techniques they illustrate to your own projects.

Table of contents

  1. Copyright
  2. About the Author
  3. About the Technical Reviewers
  4. Acknowledgments
  5. Tell Us What You Think
  6. Introduction
  7. Introduction to MySQL and Perl
    1. What You’ll Need
    2. Audience
    3. Using the Applications in This Book
  8. Getting Connected—Putting Your Database on the Web
    1. Required Tools
    2. Configuring MySQL
    3. Configuring Apache
    4. Writing Perl Scripts
    5. Error Handling and Debugging
    6. A Simple Web-Based Application—To-Do List Maintenance
    7. What You Have Achieved
  9. Improving Performance with mod_ perl
    1. What mod_ perl Is and How It Works
    2. mod_ perl Configuration
    3. Writing mod_ perl Scripts
  10. Generating and Processing Forms
    1. Form Anatomy
    2. A Short Form Element Demonstration
    3. Form Design Issues
  11. Writing Form-Based Applications
    1. Product Registration
    2. Using Email from Within Applications
    3. Running a Giveaway Contest
    4. Conducting a Poll
    5. Storing and Retrieving Images
    6. Electronic Greeting Cards—Send a Friend a Greeting
  12. Automating the Form-Handling Process
    1. Obtaining Database and Table Information
    2. Generating Form Elements from Lookup Tables and Query Results
    3. Automating Poll Processing
  13. Performing Searches
    1. Writing a Form-Based Search Application
    2. Extending the Search Application
    3. Providing Link-Based Navigation
  14. Session Management
    1. State Maintenance Techniques
    2. Implementing Session Support
    3. Expiring Sessions
    4. Storing User Preferences
    5. Implementing Resumable Sessions
    6. When Sessions Aren’t Enough
  15. Security and Privacy Issues
    1. Channels of Information
    2. Dangers Presented by Remote Users
    3. Dangers Presented by Local Users
    4. Network Access and Client Privacy Protection
    5. Writing a Secure Application
  16. E-Commerce Applications
    1. The Place of a Database in E-Commerce
    2. Setting Up a Virtual Storefront
    3. Presenting Static Library Pages
    4. An Online Document Sales Application
    5. Collecting Payment Information
    6. A Cart-Based Sales Application
    7. Completing the Site
    8. Suggested Site-Wide Modifications
    9. Final Thoughts
  17. Obtaining Software
    1. Required Software
    2. Optional Software
    3. Installing Software
  18. References and Further Reading
    1. Books
    2. Online Resources

Product information

  • Title: MySQL and Perl for the Web
  • Author(s): Paul DuBois
  • Release date: August 2001
  • Publisher(s): Sams
  • ISBN: 0735710546