Programming Exercise I: Client-Server Connection

(Industry-Level, Second-to-None Comprehensive Specifications)

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The exercises are for practice only and they will NOT be counted or graded (0% of final grades).

Development Requirements
When start developing the exercise, follow the requirements below:

• The exercise has to be Internet-enabled (a trend of current IT systems).
• The system entry page must be located at “http://undcemcs02.und.edu/~user.id/1/index.txt” and all pages must be hosted by “http://undcemcs02.und.edu/~user.id/”.
• You do not need a VPN (virtual private network) to work on the exercises if you are on campus, but you need it if you are off campus.

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Objective
Dynamic websites are a must for companies nowadays. In addition, remote working is a trend. The goal of these exercises is to have students learn how to build a simple dynamic website by using various fundamental computer tools. There are four steps to achieve our goal, building a simple online bookstore:

1. (Server) Sign in to our server, undcemcs02.und.edu .
2. (HTML & CSS) Build static webpages.
3. (CGI) Connect the Internet to the server-side programs.
4. (Python) Write programs to fulfill the users’ requests.

This exercise is the first step to achieve the goal by connecting to the server at “http://undcemcs02.und.edu/~user.id”.

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Requirements
This is the first part of a simple online bookstore construction. It is to display the text below at “http://undcemcs02.und.edu/~user.id/1/index.txt” by using the following steps:

0. For your convenience, here are the reference cards of Linux and Emacs.


1. (Off-campus only) You may skip this step if you are on campus. Otherwise, you may connect to the NDUS servers by using VPN (virtual private network) like GlobalProtect.


2. Connect to the server “http://undcemcs02.und.edu/~user.id/” by using SSH (Secure Shell) like PuTTY (PC) or Termius (Mac).


3. Sign in to your account by using your UND credentials.


4. Open your account by using the Linux command chmod such as

      shell> chmod 755 ~/../* 

5. Create your web folders by using the Linux command mkdir such as

      shell> mkdir public_html 
      shell> mkdir public_html/1 

6. Enter the folder “public_html/1” by using the Linux command cd such as

      shell> cd public_html/1 

7. Create the file by using an editor such as

      shell> emacs index.txt 

   and enter the text below to the file.


8. Use a browser to check your result at

      http://undcemcs02.und.edu/~user.id/1/index.txt

9. 🍀   Good luck!   🍀