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A Dynamic Data-display System
Using CGI and Server Push

S. B. Jenkins
Institute for Aerospace Research
National Research Council
Ottawa, Canada
© Copyright 2000


Abstract

A dynamic data-display system using CGI and server push techniques has been developed for the 2m x 3m Low Speed Wind Tunnel at the Aerodynamics Laboratory of the Institute for Aerospace Research, National Research Council of Canada. The data acquisition environment in which the system runs dictated two fundamental design criteria. The first requirement was the need to simultaneously provide the users of several PCs and Unix workstations with a columnar text data display that could be updated dynamically and also retain a specified number of updates for comparative purposes. The second requirement was the need to accept asynchronous data from reporting processes on multiple remote computers. An additional design consideration was the adoption by the software development staff at the Aerodynamics Laboratory of a general policy of using open standards and open-source software, wherever possible. By using Perl to implement traditional client-server methods for gathering, processing and distributing the data to be displayed, and by using CGI.pm to implement the user interface, a simple, robust and platform-independent system has been created that meets the design criteria and also provides additional functionality. This paper is intended to present an overall description of the display system and its operating environment, as well as specific details of the design and implementation.


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