HTML::EP

HTML::EP is a system for embedding Perl into HTML.
SYNOPSIS
< html >< head >< title >CGI-Env< /title >< /head >
< ep-comment >
This is an HTML document. You see. Perhaps you wonder about
the unknown HTML tags like ep-comment above? They are part
of the EP system. For example, this comment section will
be removed and you wont see it in your browser.
< /ep-comment >
< ep-perl >
# This is an example of embedding Perl into the page.
# We create a variable called time, containing the current
# time. This variable will be used below.
my $self = $_;
$self->{time} = localtime(time());
; # Return an empty string; result becomes embedded into the
# HTML page
< /ep-perl >
< body >< h1 >The current time< /h1 >
Your HTML::EP system is up and running: The current time is $time$.
< /body >
< /html >
NEWS
HTML::EP does now have a homepage, a CVS repository and a bug tracking system. Try
http://html-ep.sourceforge.net/
Have you ever written a CGI binary? Easy thing, isnt it? Was just fun!
Have you written two CGI binaries? Even easier, but not so much fun.
How about the third, fourth or fifth tool? Sometimes you notice that you are always doing the same:
- Reading and parsing variables
- Formatting output, in particular building tables
- Sending mail out from the page
- Building a database connection, passing CGI input to the database and vice versa
- Talking to HTML designers about realizing their wishes
You see, its soon to become a pain. Of course there are little helpers around, for example the CGI module, the mod_perl suite and lots of it more. Using them make live a lot easier, but not so much as you like. CGI(3). mod_perl(3).
On the other hand, there are tools like PHP or WebHTML. Incredibly easy to use, but not as powerfull as Perl. Why not get the best from both worlds? This is what EP wants to give you, similar to ePerl or HTML::EmbPerl. I personally believe that EP is simpler and better extendible than the latter two. ePerl(1). HTML::EmbPerl(3).
In short, its a single, but extensible program, that scans an HTML document for certain special HTML tags. These tags are replaced by appropriate output generated by the EP. What remains is passed to the browser. Its just like writing HTML for an enhanced browser!