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<title>midriff: overview</title>
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<img src="img/midriff.gif" border=0><br><small>dynamic content system</a> &nbsp; &nbsp; </td></tr>
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.TH Overview TDH "12-MAR-2003   TDH scg@jax.org" 

.LP
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<a href="Contents.html">
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\0midriff home page
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</a>
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.br
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<a href="specs.html">
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\0specs and limitations page
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.SH midriff overview
Have you ever wished that there was an open source tool for unix/linux that you could download,
install (without root privileges), and begin building real dynamic web-based database applications in 10 minutes?
A completely self-contained tool allowing you to deliver applications with no dependencies on other systems 
such as MySQL or PHP?
A tool that requires no control over the web server, no special server modules or modifications,
and has minimal administration requirements?
.LP
If so, you may be interested in \fBmidriff\fR...
.LP
\fBmidriff\fR is an open source scripting system for unix/linux.
Although it can work as a command line filter, its primary use is as a CGI-based
dynamic web content tool for implementing dynamic web forms, data views, and other content.
\fBmidriff\fR is usually configured with an 
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<a href="shsql.html">
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\0embedded sql database
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</a>
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and can also include an
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<a href="http://ploticus.sourceforge.net/">
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\0embedded charting package.
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</a>
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The result is fast development of active, graphically rich web content, with low
administrative burden.
.LP
\fBmidriff\fR makes it easy to implement web data-entry forms,
database retrieval displays,
database-driven single or multichoice option lists,
getting and setting of cookies, handling arrays of checkboxes, etc.
There's a flexible interface for issuing SQL commands, a safe and convenient
interface for executing external commands and capturing the results,
and a variety of functions for arithmetic, string manipulation, list processing,
date and time manipulation, and so on.
With the optional 
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<a href="http://ploticus.sourceforge.net">
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\0ploticus
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</a>
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interface, dynamically generated graphical data displays are also readily available.
The best way to begin is to
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<a href="problems.html">
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\0check out the examples
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</a>
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that are included with the distribution.
.LP
\fBmidriff\fR lets you develop complete, self-contained, dynamic web-based database-driven applications
with no dependencies on other systems such as MySQL or PHP.  \fBmidriff\fR applications
always run as plain CGIs, and require no control over a web server, and no special server 
modules or applications.
\fBmidriff\fR compiles in a few seconds and has a small code size and memory footprint.
.LP
\fBmidriff\fR is seen as a viable option for rapid prototyping situations,
demos, exploratory work, one-developer projects and larger projects, where its simplicity
and flexibility will allow a lot of app development to be done quickly, and 
where full-blown packages like MySQL, Oracle, or PHP aren't already available,
or are unacceptable for whatever reason.
.LP
Enjoy!

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<a href="Contents.html">
<img src="img/midriff.gif" border=0></a><br>
<small>dynamic content system &nbsp; &nbsp;<br>
<a href="Copyright.html">Copyright Steve Grubb</a> &nbsp; &nbsp;
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