CGI and Java: The Two Scripts that Conquered the World Wide Web

CGI and Java Scripts. Together, they have revolutionized the workings of the Internet. These two powerful scripts, however, differ fundamentally in the way that they function. Java functions as a code that is executed and downloaded on the client-side; CGI's fulfills its role as an operational factor within the server. Let's take a look...

Java Scripts
Java Scripts comprise in two distinct parts:
*Functions: the instructions for the way a Java Script should act on a page and
*Elements: for executing the Java Script functions).

The Java Script functions (the last element within the head tag) stay between the special Java Script tags but within the head tags of the HTML source, and follow specific punctuation-related conventions. The elements, on the other hand remain within the body tags of a HTML source although this is determined by where the designer would like it to run.

Since Java Script remains included within the other HTML tags that are present within the page source, a web page with the JS elements are saved exactly in the same format as the web page. The file type is thus an ASCII text with the file name followed by the suffix .html.

A special feature sets Java Script in a class of its own - it requires no plug-ins to be installed separately. What's more, it executes flawlessly when embedded in a HTML page. JavaScript animates the graphics in a web page; it allows the user to change the elements of a page including the background colors and display preferences and it allows for a smooth site-navigation.

Common Gateway Interface (CGI)
CGI, or Common Gateway Interface is a popular web application primarily because it supports interactivity. The web server first responds to a user's input into a CGI element such as a guest-book. The data is collected by the CGI and mailed to a pre-specified address provided.

Much like a Java Script alike, a CGI file must be made in ASCII text with the same.html suffix. The only exception is if it is stored in the CGI bin as a Perl document. Here's a major difference: unlike a Java Script which has its functions residing within head tags, the form elements in CGI are not required to be kept in some specific space. However, to call the CGI script, the HTML tags must be kept before the form elements on a webpage.

These scripts have now invaded the world of celluloid where digital films and animations currently rule the roost. Is this yet another frontier that they shall conquer together? Time will tell.