Creating a cgi-bin Directory

This exercise describes the processes to create a public_html directory and a cgi-bin directory where you will put your scripts.

1. Log on to UTS or CCWF.

2. Change to your home directory by typing:

   cd $HOME/

3. Make sure file permissions for your home directory are set correctly for Web publishing by typing:

   chmod 711 $HOME/

4. List all files and directories in the directory you're currently in (if you did step 1, this will be your home directory) by typing:

   ls -a

   If public_html is not listed, type

   mkdir public_html

   If the server responds with the following error:

   mkdir: cannot create public_html

   public_html: File exists

   do not be concerned. If the server responds with any other error, double-check your spelling and try again. If the error persists, please send e-mail to www@www.utexas.edu, include your UNIX username, the server you are working on, a description of what you have tried so far, and the complete text of any errors in your message.

   Make sure file permissions for your public_html directory are set correctly for Web publishing by typing:

   chmod 755 $HOME/public_html/

5. List the files in your public_html directory by typing:

   ls $HOME/public_html/

6. If cgi-bin is not listed, type

   mkdir $HOME/public_html/cgi-bin

7. Make sure file permissions for your cgi-bin directory are set correctly for using cgi scripts by typing:

   chmod 755 $HOME/public_html/cgi-bin

8. Create a directory in which to save HTML and text files for this tutorial by typing:

   mkdir $HOME/public_html/tutorial_files/

9. Make the cgi-bin directory you just created your current working directory by typing:

   cd $HOME/public_html/cgi-bin

Congratulations: you are now ready to create your first script.