Definitions for "Common Gateway Interface"
a method of extending web server functionality using scripts or programs in response to Web browser requests.
CGI is a standard specification for creating Web server programs that accept data from Web clients, process the data, and return a result. For example, each HTML form needs a corresponding CGI program to process form data sent to its Web site. CGI programs can be written in a variety of languages, including C, Perl, Visual Basic, and Java.
CGI is standard used by web servers to interface web clients to programs. It is primarily used to process forms and return results and as a gateway to third tier applications such as databases