Even if an ISP agrees to host your CGI applications, it may ask to review your programs before giving you permission to run them. This shouldn't be a problem if you're moving an existing script or if you have a completely tested app ready to go. But this may not be the ideal situation if you plan on developing your own CGIs on the ISP's server.
In contrast, many Web builders don't want to write their own CGI scripts, but want to do things that only a CGI can provide. Many ISPs have thought of this and keep a collection of popular CGI programs, such as email form handlers, on their servers. Anyone hosting a site on those servers has permission to run these scripts. If you need basic server-side applications only, look for an ISP that offers the CGI capabilities you want.
Unfortunately, many ISPs don't allow CGIs of any kind on their servers. Finding an accommodating carrier may turn out to be harder than learning CGI.
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