CGI parameters

A CGI program, or script, is a way users interact dynamically with Web pages; for example, submitting a string to a search form. When parameters are submitted to a CGI script to navigate to the Web page, the program automatically detects these parameters and their values. You can designate one or more CGI parameters as variables. Applications with variable parameters display a window containing input fields for these parameters before application content is rendered. This allows portal users to submit their own parameter values to return personalized content.

When the element contains data-capable parameters, a window displays during the element creation process that displays all parameters that you can designate as variables.

In addition to specifying variables for an element, you can also select a personalization adapter to use with the parameters. You can select the username and password parameters as variables, then select the personalization username/password login adapter. The Key represents the value that a user needs to enter.

Users can use the My Info link in Portal Interface to personalize the values for these input fields so that they can always log in using their own user name and password. See “Using the user name/password adapter” for more information.

Whether you access the parameter configuration windows during application creation or by clicking Params, you can edit the following parameter properties.

The parameter options display in a different order and on more than one screen when you click Params to access the Configure Parameters window. The order shown here is how the parameter options display during application creation.

Position – use the up and down arrows to organize the parameters in the order you want them to appear in the application.

Variable – select the parameter that you want to configure as a variable. This option is labeled “Configure” in the Configure Parameters wizard.

Name – displays the parameter name used in the CGI script.

If you change the CGI parameter name, you must also change the names of any events associated with this application as there is a dependency between the name of the CGI parameter and the name of events associated with it.

Display Name – enter an alternate name to use as the input field label.

You can assign two or more parameters the same display name to combine input parameters. When you are prompted to enter input for the parameter, that input is used to fill in all the parameters with that display name.

Default Value – enter a default value to automatically populate the input field. The user can override this value by typing in a different value.

(Display) Type – select the input field type: Text Field, Password, Text Area, Grid, and None. When using the username/password personalization adapter, you must select Password (rather than Text Field) for this option.

When you select Grid, Add and Clear buttons display next to the parameter. Click the Add button to search for the application that produces the tabular data for this input parameter.

Personalize – personalization adapters retrieve values from external systems or databases and automatically submit them to the application. They must be registered with Mobile Web Studio before they appear in the Personalize drop-down. Once a Personalize adapter is selected, the adapter’s available methods display in the Key drop-down.

Key – select a method to specify the parameter within the personalization adapter.

Required – specify whether the parameter is required.

Enter Setup Description HTML – this option appears only in the Configure Parameters wizard.

Advanced – click this button to launch the Advanced Parameter Options window, where you can select the JSP template user interface you want to assign to the parameter.