Summary

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Server-side programming is one way to add interactivity to a Web page. CGI was the traditional way to do this. Writing a CGI program isn't difficult if you use libraries, but the price you pay for ease is often speed. Because so many CGI programs are very similar, some are rewritten as faster server-side modules such as ISAPI and Apache modules. Although writing a custom server module tends to be beyond the expertise of most developers, it is easy to buy one to solve a common problem such as database access. Today, most Web servers support a form of server-side scripting such as SSIs, PHP, ColdFusion, or ASP. All of the technologies provide a relatively easy way for Web developers to add basic interactivity to their Web pages. While server-side technologies provide a great deal of power for the Web developer, they are only half the picture. It is also possible to add interactivity using a client-side technology such as JavaScript or Java. The subsequent chapters discuss these technologies and their intersection with HTML/XHTML and CSS.

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