Scripting

Scripting

Introduction

Static pages of HTML still have their place, but, increasingly, your visitors expect to have their say. From a humble contact form or guestbook, through site search engines and online votes, to full-blown database-driven solutions, Cyberporte can produce the scripts you need to bring your idea to life on the Internet.

We can code solutions in Perl or PHP, two of the main server-side scripting languages, depending on the requirements of the task. Projects to date have included a SSI text-cycling script, a program for synching mirror databases and a complete online website designer, as well as numerous contact forms and guestbooks.

Some simple demonstrations

Random image selection using Perl/SSI (useful for advertising banners, or for drawing attention to new pages on your site)
Random image selection using PHP
An online voting page in Perl: make a choice and see the totals change...
A report on YOU using Perl
An imitation email contact form using PHP (it prints your message as a web page rather than sending anything.)

Prices

Our programming rate is £35 inc per hour. We can give you a fixed-price quote for a job, if you can give us a fixed specification!

FAQ

Can't I just pick up all the scripts I need from a website?

Go ahead! In our experience, you need at least a working knowledge of the language involved to use public domain scripts, and, often, they don't do exactly what you want.

What about Javascript?

We do use Javascript on occasions (eg the homepage of this site), but, in general, we prefer to use server-side languages such as Perl and PHP whenever possible. There are several reasons for this: server-side scripting avoids all the problems of browser compatibility that can make JS programming a nightmare, is often more secure, and can do things that client-side languages such as JS cannot, such as database interrogation.

So should my site use Perl or PHP?

It depends on what you want to do and on who is hosting your site. Perl is an extremely powerful language that is ideal for programming complex algorithms. However, PHP can be easier for simple 'fill in the blank' applications. Some hosting companies do not allow their customers to use Perl, while others restrict the functionality of PHP to the point where it can no longer be used for certain tasks. Many tasks can be done in either language. Tell us about your project and we will advise you on the best choice.

Are there any jobs you won't consider?

We don't do any kind of spamming scripts (ie programs for sending emails to lots of people who didn't ask for them) or (knowlingly) anything illegal. Apart from that, the stranger the better!