CGI python use "under a curse"

[Steven D'Aprano]

On Sun, 06 May 2007 21:30:16 -0700, Adrian Smith wrote:

> The support guy looked at it and gave me this:
> 
> Traceback (most recent call last):
> File "python1.cgi", line 6, in ?
> print form["essay"].value
> File "/usr/local/lib/python2.4/cgi.py", line 559, in __getitem__ raise
> KeyError, key
> KeyError: 'essay'
> 
> (http://www.profusehost.net/forum/support/10894-cgi-blink.html)
> 
> He says I have a syntax error, though I'm b*ed if I can see where it
> could be. Can anyone here suggest anything?


Oh lordy lordy lordy, you've got one fine example of incompetence in 
action.

>From the support forum:

[quote]
Quote:
 perl python1.cgi
 \Semicolon seems to be missing at python1.cgi line 3.
 syntax error at python1.cgi line 4, near "form "
 Execution of python1.cgi aborted due to compilation errors.
 
Quote:
 perl -p python1.cgi
 Semicolon seems to be missing at python1.cgi line 3.
 syntax error at python1.cgi line 4, near "form "
 Execution of python1.cgi aborted due to compilation errors.
[end quote]

The "administrator" John is trying to execute a Python script with Perl. 
I notice that you pointed that out to him, and his response was:

[quote]
Sorry for delay. if we try to run this script by python we will get same 
error.
 
 python -t python1.cgi
 Content-type: text/html
 
 Traceback (most recent call last):
 File "python1.cgi", line 6, in ?
 print form["essay"].value
 File "/usr/local/lib/python2.4/cgi.py", line 559, in __getitem__
 raise KeyError, key
 KeyError: 'essay'
 
 we can test perl or cgi scripts using perl command.
 
 PLease fix syntax error so it will work fine.
[end quote]

It is NOT the same error. There are NO syntax errors in the script, there 
is a runtime error. The so-called administrator is wrong: you can't use 
Perl to test just any old CGI scripts. They have to be written in Perl.


I see from the source code on your page that you have a line:

<TEXTAREA NAME="essay" COLS=60 ROWS=20 WRAP=HARD></TEXTAREA>

You have two lines in your cgi script:

form = cgi.FieldStorage()
print form["essay"].value

Having never done cgi programming, I'm not sure what the problem is, but 
after reading help(cgi) I'll take a stab in the dark and say try this:

print form.value

It might also help for you to try this:

print form.keys()


Good luck with the "admins" at your hosting company.



-- 
Steven.