getting started with cgi on os x

[Stephen Aichele]

Hello.

A few years back, I dove into python, and after being away from it
for a year, I'm looking at using it to build a cgi backend to a
website.

I'm new to cgi.  I'm working on a mac running os x.  

Question #1:  I'm assuming that I need to have a web server up and
running on my development machine to get cgi pages to display in a
browser.  Any info on setting up apache or medusa(?) to run python
cgi scripts on os x would be much appreciated.  I feel a bit lost.

Question #2: I'm also assuming that the easiest way to call a python
cgi script from a web page is via a form 'action'.  I'd really like
to use javascript to call python cgi scripts/methods , (rather than
using 'action' from a form ).  My hunch is that this is impossible,
or at least a pain in the rear.  Am I right?

thanks! glad to be rejoining the python world!

- Stephen