CGI scripts . . . CGI ( Common Gateway Interface ) is the method by which a web server can obtain data from (or send data to) databases, documents, and other programs, and present that data to viewers in the browser. Essentially, a CGI is a program which runs on the server. It provides a means of adding expanded functionality to Web pages over and above what HTML provides. This expanded functionality is provided by using small programs, or "scripts", that are executed on the server the web page files reside on. More simply, CGI is programming for the web. CGI enables the website creator to add a counter, password protect parts of the site, use cookies or the most common task, setting up a form to let visitors send mail or place an order. CGI can handle more complex database scripts and generate an entire website on the fly.