Application
This unit applies to individuals in the network or web development area who are required to use CGI scripting as a common means of interacting with websites, providing security access to directories and databases.
Internet access to server CGI scripts provides a powerful means to control a wide variety of operations on the server.
Prerequisites
Not applicable.
Elements and Performance Criteria
1. Define specification for CGI script | 1.1 Determine the functionality of the CGI form 1.2 Define the functionality of the CGI script 1.3 Choose the appropriate language in which to write the CGI script 1.4 Determine server requirements |
2. Create CGI form and write script | 2.1 Produce a hypertext markup language (HTML) web document that uses the form elements required by the CGI script specification and includes the uniform resource locator (URL) for the CGI script 2.2 Write the CGI script to function as required by the CGI script specification |
3. Test CGI script | 3.1 Configure the server, if required, that will host the CGI script 3.2 Upload the CGI script to the server 3.3 Run the CGI form and assess its output 3.4 Reiterate until the specification for the CGI script is met |
Required Skills
Required skills
communication skills to liaise with internal and external personnel on technical, operational and business-related matters
literacy skills to write network documentation in required formats and maintain records
numeracy skills to interpret technical data
planning and organisational skills to plan, prioritise and monitor own work
research skills to gain and maintain current industry technical knowledge
technical skills to:
interpret and write HTML
use basic operating system commands
use file transfer protocol (FTP) clients.
Required knowledge
detailed knowledge of:
a scripting language
CGI 1.1/1.2 specifications
security issues surrounding CGI
web servers
overview knowledge of:
Copyleft and Free Software Foundation
special features relating to copyright and intellectual property.
Evidence Required
The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.
Overview of assessment | |
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit | Evidence of the ability to: review the requirements produce CGI forms and scripts to meet the requirements upload scripts to a server test the script, and rework until requirements is met. |
Context of and specific resources for assessment | Assessment must ensure access to: web servers ebusiness website FTP or file transfer client software server access appropriate learning and assessment support when required modified equipment for people with special needs. |
Method of assessment | A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of: scripting language security issues surrounding CGI evaluation of candidate’s CGI form review of candidate’s CGI script. |
Guidance information for assessment | Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge. |
Range Statement
The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.
Form may include: | hidden form tags on or off flags scrollable text box selection lists single selection buttons submit and reset text box. |
Language for CGI may include: | AppleScript C or C++ Perl Python shell script Visual Basic. |
Server requirements may include: | ability to FTP documents to a server remote desktop secure shell access Telnet to a server or Telnet-only access on another server VPN. |
CGI script specifications may include: | CGI/1.1 specification CGI/1.2 specification. |
Server may include: | Apache HTTP server BEA Weblogic servers email servers file and print servers FTP servers IBM VisualAge and WebSphere iPlanet-Enterprise Lotus Domino Microsoft-Internet-Information-Server NetDynamics Netscape Enterprise Server, Netscape-FastTrack, Netscape-Commerce proxy servers Sun Microsystems iPlanet Web Server Sun Microsystems Java Web Server. |
Sectors
Networking
Employability Skills
This unit contains employability skills.
Licensing Information
No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.