Apache is the most popular web server on the Internet because it is free, reliable, and extensible. The availability of the source code and the modular design of Apache makes it possible to extend web server functionality through the Apache API. For the most part, however, the Apache API has only been available to C programmers, and requires rebuilding the Apache server from source. mod_perl, the popular Apache module used primarily for enhanced CGI performance, changed all that by making the Apache API available to Perl programmers. With mod_perl, it becomes simple to develop Apache modules with Perl and install them without having to rebuild the web server. Writing Apache Modules with Perl and C shows how to extend web server capabilities regardless of whether the programming language is Perl or C. The book explains the design of Apache, mod_perl, and the Apache API. It then demonstrates how to use them to perform for tasks like the following:

• Rewriting CGI scripts as Apache modules to vastly improve performance

• Server-side filtering of HTML documents, to embed special markup or code (much like SSI)

• Enhancing server log functionality

• Converting file formats on the fly

• Implementing dynamic navigation bars

• Incorporating database access into CGI scripts

• Customizing access control and authorization to block robots or to use an external database for passwords

The authors are Lincoln Stein and Doug MacEachern. Lincoln is the successful author of How to Set Up and Maintain a World Wide web Site and the developer of the widely used Perl CGI.pm module. Doug is a consultant and the creator of the innovative mod_perl Apache module.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 22 Ratings

If you want C don't bother with this book - 2003-03-02
Reviewer Rating:
It's all in Perl. The book says "Apache Modules with Perl and C" but really, it's all in Perl. The only mentions I've seen in C are the very very beginning, and the end that restates the Apache documentation.

If you bought this book thinking it will have sample C code, you would be wrong.

If you like Perl, then this is the book for you, but if you prefer C, as I do, then you will have wasted your money.

A good book for Perl modules for Apache. - 2003-05-11
Reviewer Rating:
Not much there for C, although it's not too difficult to make use of the Perl topics and covert them to C, it's more geared towards Perl (much more). That's too bad. Still, it's a good book and is very useful for referencing as well as for people looking to learn more about this topic.

Outdated, but still helpful - 2007-01-24
Reviewer Rating:
Helpful for getting your head around the principles of Apache modules, but for modern API reference, see Apache's online docs.

Good Perl Apache Module Reference - 2006-09-20
Reviewer Rating:
While this book is a bit outdated and technology has greatly changed since this text was released in 1999, this is still a solid reference for anyone that works with Apache and still needs to support writing modules with Perl (not as much with C). At a hefty size of over 700+ pages, this text will certainly help you do the job and it's a great bargain for this specialty text.

Chapter Overview

01. Server-Side Programming with Apache
02. First Module
03. Apache Module Architecture and API
04. Content Handlers
05. Maintaining State
06. Authentication & Authorization
07. Other Request Phases
08. Customizing the Apache Configuration Process
09. Perl API Reference Guide
10. C API Reference, Part I
11. C API Reference, Part II

**** RECOMMENDED

best $2.00 I ever spent! - 2006-05-26
Reviewer Rating:
I bought this book awhile ago USED here on Amazon (for $2.00!), and it was worth every penny!

Although this book is old, it has some useful reference material that can still be applied today.

It doesn't mention as much about C as it does PERL, but it does cover the basic fundamental principles of using either language to create your own apache modules, which was more of what I was interested in.

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