Do I need Perl Installed on target computer to run CGI application?

[sdani]

I am planing to write my first application in Perl. This will be targeted to "shared hosting" environment, where cgi scripts are allowed, and Perl may / may not be available.

I am hoping that I can use Perl Development Kit (PDK)'s deployment tools and generate ready to run executable for Windows / Linux and BSD shared hosting, where I may not need Perl running on the target machine.

[activestate.com...]

Is this a valid assumption or I must need Perl support on target machines to run my applications?

What are the restrictive environments where my script may not run? Basically I would like it to run on any shared host where they do allow cgi scripts.

Thanks
sdani

[lexipixel]

What are the restrictive environments where my script may not run? Basically I would like it to run on any shared host where they do allow cgi scripts.

CGI is a method. Perl is a language. (I mention this since some hosts offer CGI support, but support Php or other server-side scripting language).

You will find Perl avaialable on most shared hosting servers, especially in the Linux / *NIX world.

On WIN servers, it may be available, but you (or people who want to run your scripts) may need to take extra steps in regards to uploading scripts, setting permissions, etc.

There is a difference between "perl" and "perl support"... A good host that provides perl will also have support people that understand perl, and have the latest releases and popular modules installed on the server, and offer a tool to check perl scripts (for debugging errors).

There are enough hosts that offer and support perl, that you will have a big market if you come up with something good.

Good luck!

[lexipixel]

As usual.. I re-read your question (and my answer), and seem to be missing something.

The ActiveState PDK offers things like:

Write system tray applications in Perl
You can build dependent applications, which require an existing Perl installation on the target computer, or freestanding applications, which will run on a target computer that does not have Perl installed. Windows only.

Just like the old BASIC days, you could write a .BAS file and run through the BASIC interpreter on any machine that had it installed --- the problem with "commercial apps" was that you had to release source code for this method.

You could buy the (Microsoft) BASIC compiler and produce .EXE files that would run on any DOS machine even if BASIC was not installed or available.

Back to your question: on shared hosting servers, people will want the .pl source code --- not a compiled .EXE ---- you don't need the PDK to create or release a script in this way --- you can develop it in any text or perl editor.

Is one of us confused?

[crevier]

If by "target machine" you are referring to a person who visits your web site, no, that person does not need to have Perl installed. They just need a web browser (IE, Firefox, etc). When they visit your site, the server where the site is located must have Perl installed in order to run the CGI program.

[sdani]

Thanks for the responses.

lexipixel - you mention that my users would want .pl file with source on the shared hosting env, but that would release the source. If I plan to sell this software as a commerical product, I would not like to release the source.

Thansk
sdani