Re: WWW and cgi and Informix
> "Robert Stuart" <bobs@panews.press.net> wrote in article <01bb636a.2d236c40$c565b290@steveh.panews.press.net>... > > > > "Larry Timmins" <timmins@ix.netcom.com> wrote in article > <01bb5cde.bb160c20$82f0b9cd@the-big-mipper>... > > > > If anyone is also working on distributed applications, involving PCs > with > > browsers > > surfing their Informix database via HTML, Frames, and CGI (*perl, > > isqlperl) scripts, . . . > > I would like to start up a discussion > > > > OK - I'm interested . . . > So were 22 other respondents. I received your email and you're among them. > I have a few (intranet) programs - returning both HTML and VRML > These have been demo'd at a few Informix shows in the UK > I've received two offers to host a listserv -- looking into it. One site may provide a web / ftp area (actually NT server with FrontPage support so members can post using Front Page to areas of the web they control). Immediate Goal: My intention is to have a common mailing to all email respondents -- a) summarizing who's responded (where possible type of platform, email program, etc.) -- b) survey - for future transmissions -- does everyone have mime mail, etc. -- c) summary of Web/CGI to ESQLC/Informix approach -- d) review of isqlperl/sql and ESQLC/Informix 5.0.3 approach I implemented -- e) survey -- what hot topics should list share, etc. -- f) schedule -- I'll continue sending summary by end of first week of every month to all that reply -- until it gets overwhelming or I get time to establish a moderated, closed news group on ESQLC+CGI for Informix. > My main worry with Web communications arises with writes after query. > (i.e. update data) By query, do you mean after the Web browser fired off the form/cgi script and an update to the database following the HTML data sent in response to the script processing would not be reflected? This is a hot topic. Under Microsoft, ActiveX as well as Jakarta supports server-side updates of interactive "client-based agents" within the HTML container being viewed by the user's browser. (Check out http://www.microsoft. com/wwlive -- "Nashville and Active Themes Dev't Kit CD (for attending)" on July 16th) for more info. I've used a combination of "Frames" and CGI. I guarantee that the scripts use only information and metadata about form labels, etc. that come directly out of the Informix database therefore any subsequent access is always the latest. Depends on application. Good points. > I have not achieved stable transaction locking. This is working for me -- perhaps I don't understand where you're having problem. My commit occures after output (confirmation) is sent back out to the client). > The problem may be (have been) solved with the DB plug ins to servers, > and/or JDBC Microsoft has INternet Database Connection in NTS 4.0 (Beta2). Also, SQL 6.5 is said to support this better. The key issue is when does Informix pick this interface (IDC) up so access to Informix is easier. Short term there are "Server Extensions" for your UNIX based web server -- but the early beta got mixed reviews. I have to understand Microsoft's intentions for UNIX platforms better -- I expect most integration to come from CORBA/DCOM integration from Digital and Software AG. Only bad part is timing may not be until mid 1997. Larry T. > >