This document describes a utility to assist in the processing of HTTPd scripts, and for the HTTP POST method in particular. It is intended for Hypertext maintainers who have a requirement to implement scripting.
One of the primary functions of DEFORM is to parse POST method requests of Content-Type: ``application/x-www-form-urlencoded'', making the values of the form fields readily available in DCL scripts. This is done by creating DCL symbols corresponding to the fields, or by creating a temporary plain-text file containing the fields and their values. It is anticipated that most requirements will be met using the DCL symbol functionality.
Other functions of the utility include user authentication, document redirection, and HTTP response header generation. User authentication is significant because it provides the identity of the user of the browser activating the script and confidence that this identity has been verified by password.