Practical Mod Perl

Mod_perl embeds the programming language Perl in the Apache Web server, giving rise to a fast and powerful Web programming environment. New mod_perl users will learn how to quickly and easily get mod_perl compiled and installed. But the primary purpose of this book is to show you how to take full advantage of mod_perl: how to make a mod_perl-enabled Web site as fast, flexible, and easily-maintainable as possible. The authors draw from their own personal experience in the field, as well as the combined experience of the mod_perl community, to present a rich and complete picture of how to set up and maintain a successful mod_perl site. The book also covers the "next generation" of mod_perl: mod_perl 2.0, the threaded, completely rewritten version of mod_perl designed for integration with Apache 2.0. It covers the following topics: configuring mod_perl optimally for your Web site; porting and optimizing programs for a mod_perl environment; performance tuning: getting the very fastest performance from your site; controlling and monitoring the server to circumvent crashes and clogs; integrating with databases efficiently and painlessly; debugging tips and tricks; and maximizing security. Written for Perl Web developers and web administrators, this is a guide to the nuts and bolts of the powerful and popular combination of Apache and mod_perl. From writing and debugging scripts to keeping your server running without failures, the techniques in this book should help you squeeze every ounce of power out of your server.