Web Fundamentals - What is CGI?

CGI stands for Common Gateway Interface. Simply put, because web servers and web applications operate in different environments and structures, CGI is a set of rules they must follow to communicate with each other.

A gateway refers to a checkpoint or passageway. In a networking context, it typically refers to hardware devices like routers.

An interface means interaction, so Common Gateway Interface refers to the rules everyone must follow to interact with network gateways.