About Server-side Scripts

Article Summary: This article explains what a Server-side scripts are, what it does and how to use them.

Server-side scripts are such scripts as search boxes, email forms or stat counters that allow for some interaction with your visitors. When a user enters data or makes a request, the script is sent to a special server where it gets processed. These scripts that are processed by a server are known as server-side contents. Server- side contents can be processed either on your web host's server, or by using the services of a free or paid web hosting server. Generally, many of these free hosting services also offer free scripts for you to use. This means that contents on your page that needs to be processed, such as an email forms, are not saved on your hosts web server (where all your other contents are stored), but on the server of the company providing the server side elements and scripts. The scripts needed to run these programs are often referred to as server-side scripts. Sites that provide either free or paid Server-side scripts usually generate HTML forms for you to use. You can also design your own forms in Dreamweaver or FrontPage, but you will still need these special Server-side scripts in order to process them. The easiest way to embed your pages with server-side scripts is to visit a host that will allow you to use their servers. Many scripts will only be available to paying subscribers, but the most common scripts and forms will be available for free. The best place to begin looking for server-side scripts is ask your web host, they may have commonly used scripts and forms available. The most commonly used scripts are CGI or Common Gateway interface scripts. Sites providing CGI scripts will simply allow you to generate HTML codes that link your page to their server. You will need to embed these script by using the clipboard function to copy the HTML code and than paste it into your web page.

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