Topic: client/server and database with C++

[Acropole]

Hi,

I'm working on a small project with C++ and apache httpd.
In this project a client send a request for a file to the server and, depending on datas from the database, the server send a file and save some statistics. It's a bit like a web browser client/server, but I don't want to use php/mysql. The system must be quick and the client is made with c++.
I'm new to client/server coding with c++ (I do it every day with php/mysql in my job), and I can't find a good tutorial about building and linking a c++ software to apache.
Should it be a dll or not ? how to connect the client with winsock ? there is so many question without answer at this time.

thanks for your help

[James Blond]

With c++ you could run it as cgi.

[tdonovan]

If you want to link your code with Apache, an option is to write an Apache module.

This is not a trivial task - it requires a good knowledge of both Apache and of thread-safe C programming.
C++ can be used, although the Apache API uses the C calling standard.

The best reference book for writing an Apache module is "The Apache Modules Book" by Nick Kew which was published in January of this year.
It is a bit advanced to be considered a tutorial.

re: "how to connect the client with winsock?":
That probably wouldn't be necessary. An Apache module could perform the database steps and then direct Apache to send the file.
A module certainly would be quick enough, as it is a .dll which runs inside the Apache process.

re: "I'm new to client/server coding with c++":
That argues against writing your own Apache module; but maybe you want to look over the Modules book and the Apache modules docs and see if this is something you want to tackle.


-tom-

[Acropole]

Thank you very much, I'll take a look to all this.