Execute Python CGI from /cgi-bin/ folder

Question

I have a standard Apache2 installation on an Ubuntu server. The default settings use ScriptAlias to refer /cgi-bin/ to /usr/lib/cgi-bin/. If I place my Python CGI script in /usr/lib/cgi-bin/ it executes.

I created /var/www/cgi-bin/ with appropriate permissions, removed the ScriptAlias line, changed the Directory entry in the default file for the site, moved the CGI file to /var/www/cgi-bin/ and restarted Apache2, but I was not able to get the script to run. It was appearing as a text file in the browser instead of being executed. The HTML file calling the script refers to /cgi-bin/SCRIPT, so I left that unchanged. I tried variations on /cgi-bin and /var/www/cgi-bin in the config files without success. How can I get a Python CGI file to run from /var/www/cgi-bin?

newtover · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-18 13:28:11Z

4

If you removed the ScriptAlias directive, you should probably add the following lines into the main config for the directory or into .htaccess file:

Options +ExecCGI
AddHandler cgi-script py

answered Jan 18, 2012 at 13:28

newtover

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5 Comments

SabreWolfy Over a year ago

My CGI scripts end in .cgi, so I presume that's ... cgi-script cgi in my case? I'll test it now.

SabreWolfy Over a year ago

I noticed that these lines did not work if I placed them under the Directory section in the default file; they worked when I placed them into the main body of that file. I presume it would be better to place them into a .htaccess file rather, so that their effects are local to that folder only?

newtover Over a year ago

@SabreWolfy, well, I do usually myself place them into .htaccess where I need =) But I have other AddHandler directives within VirtualHost sections, so they both should work.

newtover Over a year ago

@SabreWolfy, what is the default file within Directory section?

SabreWolfy Over a year ago

The default file is in /etc/apache2/sites-available; in there is the <Directory> section which refers to /cgi-bin/ (which referred previously to the /usr/lib/cgi-bin folder). I have placed the lines into /var/www/cgi-bin/.htaccess and it is working. Thanks.

guinny · Accepted Answer · 2012-01-18 13:39:11Z

0

please make sure:

the file you are calling itself has enough permission
the file you are calling has an extension that is is in the .htaccess file (see newtover's answer)
specify how you want to run the script in the first line of the file. If you are calling foo.pl, make sure #!/usr/bin/perl is in the first line.

answered Jan 18, 2012 at 13:39

guinny

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