Invoking a DLL (ISAPI extension) method from an html FORM (via action)
two part question:
PROBLEM BACKGROUND:
Platform: NT Server 4.0
IIS 4
IE 5
I copied a working ISAPI extension from Visual C++ ISAPI Programming book. The extension worked great if the method (i.e., TestDLL.dll?Test) is invoked using anchor (<a href="http://myhost/TestDLL.dll?Test>here</a>
The method also gets invoked correctly when it is invoked via the url (i.e., typing the fully qualified url addr at the address field for IE or netscape).
However, I just can't figure out how to invoke the method using a form object (i.e., via the submit button of the html form) as such:
<form action="/scripts/TestDLL.d
<p>Name
</p>
<p>
<input type="submit" name="Submit2" value="Submit">
<input type="reset" name="Reset2" value="Reset">
</p>
</form>
I've tried numerous combinations of get and post and other troubleshooting to no avail.
The error i'm getting when i click on the submit button is (in netscape 4.7):
--------------------
BAD REQUEST
Your client sent a request that this server didn't understand.
Request: Test
--------------------
QUESTIONS:
1. how can I get the method to executing when the user clicks on the submit button?
2. if the method requires parameters, how can i pass those form parameters (as entered by the user) to the method?
Thank you
PROBLEM BACKGROUND:
Platform: NT Server 4.0
IIS 4
IE 5
I copied a working ISAPI extension from Visual C++ ISAPI Programming book. The extension worked great if the method (i.e., TestDLL.dll?Test) is invoked using anchor (<a href="http://myhost/TestDLL.dll?Test>here</a>
The method also gets invoked correctly when it is invoked via the url (i.e., typing the fully qualified url addr at the address field for IE or netscape).
However, I just can't figure out how to invoke the method using a form object (i.e., via the submit button of the html form) as such:
<form action="/scripts/TestDLL.d
<p>Name
</p>
<p>
<input type="submit" name="Submit2" value="Submit">
<input type="reset" name="Reset2" value="Reset">
</p>
</form>
I've tried numerous combinations of get and post and other troubleshooting to no avail.
The error i'm getting when i click on the submit button is (in netscape 4.7):
--------------------
BAD REQUEST
Your client sent a request that this server didn't understand.
Request: Test
--------------------
QUESTIONS:
1. how can I get the method to executing when the user clicks on the submit button?
2. if the method requires parameters, how can i pass those form parameters (as entered by the user) to the method?
Thank you
bustany,
My understanding is that every isapi extension handles cerntain input in certain format. Some extension may accept a file, and then put the file into database. Some extension may just accept a string, and search the database and return the results to the client. I don't have your book, so I don't know exactly what testDll.dll does.
Here is my general comments:
Look in testDll.cpp (if it's in c++)
and find HttpExtensionProc(), you should see main logic there as what the program is looking for. In some cases, it looks for some predefined fields. e.g. the funciton may be looking for "FieldName1", "FieldName2". Whereas you are sending "Submit2" and "Reset2". If the program can not find the fields it is looking for, it may just return error.
One possible reason can also be your form html syntax. Some extension accepts form input using multipart format. If that's the case, you will need to add enctype="multipart/form-da
Good luck.
My understanding is that every isapi extension handles cerntain input in certain format. Some extension may accept a file, and then put the file into database. Some extension may just accept a string, and search the database and return the results to the client. I don't have your book, so I don't know exactly what testDll.dll does.
Here is my general comments:
Look in testDll.cpp (if it's in c++)
and find HttpExtensionProc(), you should see main logic there as what the program is looking for. In some cases, it looks for some predefined fields. e.g. the funciton may be looking for "FieldName1", "FieldName2". Whereas you are sending "Submit2" and "Reset2". If the program can not find the fields it is looking for, it may just return error.
One possible reason can also be your form html syntax. Some extension accepts form input using multipart format. If that's the case, you will need to add enctype="multipart/form-da
Good luck.
your first line of code was:
<form action="/scripts/TestDLL.d
replace it with:
<form action="/scripts/TestDLL.d
<form action="/scripts/TestDLL.d
replace it with:
<form action="/scripts/TestDLL.d
Download ftp://ftp.wrox.com/professional/664.zip . Extract it and look in the FormMail folder. This will put you well on your way.
You need to write parse map entries for your function
Look for the line that begins with BEGIN_PARSE_MAP
That's where you define your entry point and their arguments
In your case you probably have something like:
ON_PARSE_COMMAND(Test, classname, ITS_EMPTY )
This means that Test takes no arguments
replace with something like:
ON_PARSE_COMMAND(Test, classname, ITS_PSTR)
ON_PARSE_COMMAND_PARAMS("S
Look up these macros in VC++ help for more information
Look for the line that begins with BEGIN_PARSE_MAP
That's where you define your entry point and their arguments
In your case you probably have something like:
ON_PARSE_COMMAND(Test, classname, ITS_EMPTY )
This means that Test takes no arguments
replace with something like:
ON_PARSE_COMMAND(Test, classname, ITS_PSTR)
ON_PARSE_COMMAND_PARAMS("S
Look up these macros in VC++ help for more information
oh yeah, and don't forget to change the signature of the Test function from
void Test()
to
void Test(char* submit2)
void Test()
to
void Test(char* submit2)
ASKER
I actually did all that as part of copying the sample code from the text. I found out the reason for it not working was due to the fact that i "overloaded" Test, one without any
params, and one with two parms. Once I renamed the second test, it worked. So I guess in handling forms via an isapi, once can not overload methods!!! pretty bad on microsoft's side, i think.
params, and one with two parms. Once I renamed the second test, it worked. So I guess in handling forms via an isapi, once can not overload methods!!! pretty bad on microsoft's side, i think.
ASKER CERTIFIED SOLUTION
membership
This solution is only available to members.
To access this solution, you must be a member of Experts Exchange.
but from your description it looks like the dll checks for the query string(URL).
I know of ISAPI filters doing this but not ISAPI extensions.
Is it possible in ISAPI extensions also?