Uploading In ASCII
The #1 reason for a script to return an error is that it has not been uploaded to the server in ASCII format. It is vitally important that all scripts are uploaded in ASCII for them to work. If you are not sure how this is done, the following quick-tip tutorial should help.
If you are using an FTP program, click on HELP and search for the word ASCII. This should lead you to a section that will explain how to assure the program is in fact uploading your file in ASCII mode. Most FTP programs offer you three options:
- Auto Detection (allowing the program to decide)
- ASCII Mode (text)
- Binary Mode (images)
Auto Detection will work fine for most files but usually does not work well for scripts. Many FTP programs, that upload files with .cgi or .pl extensions, will upload them in binary mode and this causes the script to be broken. When you are uploading a script via FTP simply make sure that you have chosen to upload in ASCII and do not allow the program to decide this for itself.
If the file is already on the server visit FileQuest, found within your personal CNC at http://www.YourDomain.com/CNC/ (replace yourdomain.com with your own domain name). Once within FileQuest navigate and select the file in question then select the DOS/Unix Conversion button from the Command Menu. This, will automagically turn binary files into ASCII files for you!
If you are within Telnet and/or have already uploaded the file and do not mind using Telnet, there is a second way to turn your file into a clean ASCII file.
Via Telnet make sure you are within the same directory that the file is in. Usually this is your cgi-bin so you would type
cd /big/dom/xdomain/cgi-bin/ {enter}
Note that you need to replace xdomain with an x and your own domain name. So for aota.net it would be cd /big/dom/xaota/cgi-bin/
Now type
stripcr filename.cgi {enter}
Note that you will need to change filename.cgi to the name of the file you want to fix.
stripcr tells the server that you want to strip the carriage returns from the file. The carriage returns are what cause a file that was not uploaded in ASCII to break.
The above should help you to prevent any further script problems that occurred due to the most common script mistake on the Internet. Enjoy!
Back to Top
| 
