The term "common gateway interface" is often abbreviated as CGI. This term is pronounced /ˌsiːdʒiːˈaɪ/ and refers to a standard protocol for web servers. In terms of spelling, the word "common" is spelled as it sounds, with the /k/ sound at the beginning and the /n/ sound at the end. The word "gateway" is pronounced /ɡeɪtweɪ/ and contains a silent "t". Finally, the word "interface" is spelled as it sounds, with the /ɪntərfeɪs/ pronunciation. Together, these three words make up the CGI standard.
Common Gateway Interface (CGI) is a set of rules and protocols that enable web servers to communicate with external scripts and programs, allowing dynamic content to be generated and displayed on a website. It is a standard method for web servers to interact with executable programs or scripts on a server and retrieve information from them for processing and displaying on a web page.
CGI acts as a mediator between the web server and external applications or scripts, facilitating the exchange of data. When a user requests a web page that requires dynamic content, the server passes the request to the CGI program, which processes the data and generates the appropriate output. This output is then sent back to the server, which in turn delivers it to the user's web browser.
CGI supports various programming languages, including Perl, C, C++, Python, and Shell Scripts, among others. The programming language used depends on the server's capabilities and the preferences of the developer.
By utilizing the CGI interface, web developers can create websites that are more interactive and responsive to user input. It allows for the execution of complex tasks, such as database queries, form processing, email handling, and generating dynamic web content. CGI has been widely adopted and remains a vital component in the development of dynamic web applications.