Hello everyone,
I need to install a script on a server at a hosting company. I am doing this for a business acquaintance so I don't have direct access to the hosting company or their support.
The script requires several files to be put in the cgi-bin directory with the requisit permission changes.
The problem is - there is no cgi-bin directory.
Okay, here is the sanity check part....
Above and beyond hosting someones stuff, having access and permissions on a cgi-bin directory is a special thing, no? That is, normally a hosting company doesn't provide cgi-bin access without some extra fee for it.
Is that right?
Or, can I just create the cgi-bin directory and give it specific permissions to allow it to run scripts/etc?
reddarin
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In addition to i2mc, scripts are not always required to be in a 'cgi-bin' directory. Sometimes it is allowed to create your own directory and run scripts there like: \guestbook or \store
Just try it with an easy CGI program that writes to HTML: "Hello there, script works" and call the CGI from the browser.
If you don't want to talk to the hosting company, why don't you try uploading some simple script and see if it works, like dutchfoxer said.
A script like:
#!/usr/bin/perl
print "Content-type:text/html\n\
print "Hello Me!";
exit;
Change the permission to 755 and see if it works using your browser.
Some hosting companies only permits scripts to be executed inside a special directory, like 'cgi-bin.' But there are also many hosting companies which allows scripts anywhere. If the above script works you'll get "Hello, Me!" in your browser window. If it doesn't, you'll see something like "Internal Server Error."
If you get "Internal Server Error", then you'll have to talk to the hosting company.
Good luck.
If none of this works, then you need to find out what kind of server is being used. If it is APACHE and UserOptions is turned on, then you can use the .htaccess file to make a script work. However, otherwise, the cgi-bin directory permissions need to be set at the server configuration level, and they would need to do that. In all likelihood, you will NOT be allowed to use CGI because if it is used in idle hands it is a major security risk on the computer (as all cgi's are run using the web server user that started the server.)
Hi again everyone,
Looks like dutchfoxer was correct or closest to correct with formosa adding some intersting information.
I was able to get the script running so it appears that this particular host doesn't care what is ran where it is just a matter of setting 777 or 755.
formosa - pick up your points here:
http://www.experts-exchang
Thanks everyone,
reddarin
Business Accounts
Answer for Membership
by: i2mcPosted on 2003-07-26 at 03:10:01ID: 9010292
>Or, can I just create the cgi-bin directory and give it specific permissions to allow it to run scripts/etc?
No. You need to talk to the hosting company - it doesn't matter that you are doing it on behalf of someone else, contact their techincal support or just look at the support section on their website - that often has the answers about how to set up such things as many, many people want the same and they don't want their support lines clogged.
cgi-bins are most common (and often free) on linux based hosts. Perhaps your acquaintance is hosting his web site on a microsoft windows based server in which case it is more likely that you have .ASP capability rather than perl.
But at the end of the day, you can't do it blind, you need to talk to the hosting company.
Roger