Delphi CGI Component Package, Version 1.0
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INTRODUCTION

This package consists of two Delphi components:

   * TCGI, the core component, allows Delphi applications to 
     interact with information servers (primarily World Wide Web 
     servers), processing input and generating output on the fly.

   * TCGIDlg, a dialog box component which aids in understanding 
     and debugging CGI applications.

This release has been tested with Win-httpd 1.4 (for Windows 3.1) 
and WebSite (for Windows 95 & NT).  Win-httpd is available as 
shareware (see http://www.city.net/win-httpd).  WebSite is available 
from O'Reilly and Associates (see http://website.ora.com for 
features and ordering information).

Currently planned enhancements/add-ons include:

   * Execution templates, for greater flexibility in server support.
   * An HTML component, which will link to the CGI component and
     assist in outputting HTML tags, tables, and other markup.


INSTALLATION

To install, unzip the ZIP file using the -d option (to preserve 
directory structure).  Start Delphi, choose Options|Install 
Components..., click Browse, and select CGIREG.DCU.  The CGI and 
CGIDlg components will be added to the Samples pallette.

To install the context-sensitive help, move the CGI.HLP file to your 
\DELPHI\BIN directory, and the CGI.KWF file to \DELPHI\HELP.  Run 
Delphi's HelpInst utility.  Choose File|Open.  Select 
\DELPHI\BIN\DELPHI.HDX.  Click the + icon, and select 
\DELPHI\HELP\CGI.KWF.  Then choose File|Save, and exit.  The CGI 
context-sensitive help is now integrated with the Delphi help system.

USE

Just place the CGI component on the main form of your application.  
When the application is run by the information server (or as a 
standalone app with the correct command line parameters), the CGI 
component will automatically load all of the relevant data and open 
the output file for your results.  See the help file for details.

For a complete description of how CGI applications interact with Web 
servers, including a description of the command line, please refer 
to the Windows CGI 1.2 interface specification (available at 
http://website.ora.com/wsdocs/32demo/windows-cgi.html).


DEMOS

This ZIP file contains two demo programs, both of which are based on 
Bob Denny's CGI demo for Visual Basic.  The only difference between 
them is that one of them uses a form, while the other saves almost 
70K by going formless.  Formless programming in Delphi is a little 
trickier, but not too bad.  They won't run without the proper 
command line and .ini file, so you must either set them up to be 
executed by a Web server, or create an .ini file manually and fake 
the parameters.  This should be pretty easy to figure out from the 
CGI spec.  Admittedly, this makes it more difficult for people who 
aren't running Web servers to write and test CGI apps, but Win-httpd 
is readily available and makes the process much easier.


REGISTRATION

Good news!  It's free!  However, if you appreciate the effort, you 
might reward me by sending me a postcard.  It's just a nice reminder 
that people are paying attention, and it helps prove to my boss that 
I'm not a complete waste of salary and benefits.  Plus, it's a cool 
way to see the world while I'm chained to my desk.  Send 'em to:

   Cool CGI Component
   Michael B. Klein
   c/o Washington Publishing Company
   806 W. Diamond Ave., Suite 400
   Gaithersburg, MD  20878
   
If you have any questions, feel free to e-mail me:

   CompuServe: 74323,3555
   Internet: mbk@baldrick.com
   
Thanks for your interest, and enjoy!