maketest.pl

beta version

Maketest Initial Form

Detailed Instructions

Making the Test

	This program will allow you to make a test program which you
	can save and install on a web site. You must be able to run 
	Perl-CGI on your web site in order to run the test program.

Initial Form

	1. First enter the total number of questions that will be asked on
		your test.

	2. The test must be either all fill-ins (spelling counts)
		or all multiple choice. Choose the type that you prefer.

	3. If the test is multiple choice each question must offer the 
		same number of choices. Choose the number.

	4. If you would like to allow test takers to add their scores, 
		names, and e-mail addresses to a log file; check the yes
		box.

	5. Enter the test name. This will serve as a title for each of 
		the question pages.

	6. The last entry on the Initial Form is very important.
		This will be the file name of the program that you produce.
		We suggest all lower case.
		Use only alphanumeric characters and the underscore
		character. No spaces are allowed. The filename 
		extension (after the ".") should be .pl
		For example: the_test.pl would be a good file name.

		If this is not a valid filename and if the script file does 
		not have this name. The test program will not run.

Forms Page

	1. One by one, enter your questions, solutions, and (if a
		multiple choice test) choices.
		In multiple choice tests it is extremely important that 
		one of the choices exactly matches the solution. 
		We recommend copy and paste from the correct choice to 
		the solution field.

	1.a. IMPORTANT If you use any double quotation marks (")
		or dollar signs ($) in your questions, solutions, or 
		choices They must be preceded by a backslash 
		(\")and (\$).
		For example: 
		Who said \"To be or not to be\"? - is OK
		Who said "To be or not to be"? - will not work?				

	2. Fill in your name and e-mail address. This information will 
		be added to the copyright section of the program. You will 
		be given credit for the questions and solutions.

	3. You should double check your questions, solutions, and choices.
		You will be able to change the information later, but it 
		will require editing the program and any errors could 
		prevent the program from running.

	4. When It's perfect. Press the "Make the Test!" button.

Saving the Test	

	1. Maketest should deliver your completed test script to your 
	browser.

	2. Save the file with the same name that you typed into the
		last field on the Initial Form. 
	If you forgot it, you can find it at the top of the file where 
		it says "the script name is".

	3. IMPORTANT If you are going to install your test on
		a UNIX system and you are using a browser like Microsoft
		Explorer which adds a blank line to the beginning of
		the file. You must edit the file and remove the
		blank line.
		#!/usr/local/bin/perl or #!/path to perl (see this) must
		be the very first line of the file.

	4. If you opted to allow users to add their scores to a log, 
		you will need to place a copy of the log file in the
		same directory as the test script. The name of the log
		file must be "testscores.html". You may get a sample 
		log here but any html file 
		will do as long as it has the above name and it contains 
		the line:
		<!--add here-->
		in the body of the page.




Installing the test on a UNIX server

	1. Read these General Instructions.

	2. Make your test script "WhateverYouCalledIt.pl" executable.

	3. If you are logging test scores make "testscores.html" world
		readable and world writeable.



Installing the test on an NT server




	This script was designed to produce output to run a Unix WWW server,
	however, with a little tweaking you should be able to run it on an 
	NT server as well.

	1. If you are going to log test scores follow instructions 1.a. 
		through 1.c.

	1.a. Replace both instances of the line:
			$Date =`$datepath`;
		with these two lines:
			require 'ctime.pl'; 
			$Date = &ctime(time);

	1.b. Make sure that ctime.pl is available. It comes with most
		recent distributions of Perl. If you need it, get it here
		and try placing it in the same directory as your test script.

	1.c. If the script runs but you can't solve the date problem.
		Follow the instructions in step 2. below and then
		find the line:
			print SCORES "<hr><br>On $Date <a href=mailto:$email>$name </a>" ;
		and remove the words "On $Date".
		Your logging should work but without the time stamp.

	2. If you are not going to log test scores, remove both instances of
		the lines:
			$Date =`$datepath`;
			chop($Date);

	3. If you find that the line:
			"Content-type: text/html"; 
		is appearing on your test pages, remove the lines:
			print "Content-type: text/html\n\n";
		from the script. To remove a line without deleting it place
		the # symbol to the left of the line.

	4. If the script does not run at all try removing the # from the
		left of the line:
			#print "HTTP/1.0 200 OK\n";

	5. Let us know how you make out.

Simple Instructions

FAQ

Questions

Questions and Answers

Known Bugs

1. Please let us know. if you encounter a problem that is not listed here.

   Legal

   Our lawyer's make us say this:
   By using this software you agree to indemnify Jim Sauer and Global action Internet Services from any liability that may arise from its use. Jim Sauer and Global action Internet Services are in no way liable for any damages whatsoever that you may incur while using this software. This software comes strictly "as is" and is without any warrantee of any kind. Specifically, the warranties for merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose are hereby disclaimed.
   You use this software strictly at your own risk.
   Your use of this software indicates that you agree to all of the above without any restrictions or reservations.

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