Difference Inline and CGI

liv2luv

After reading about CGI callout and Inline callout, I see both doing the same. Can any one point the distinct difference between CGI and Inline callout ?
I understand that inline callout takes an xml file between substitution tags and CGI does not, what else?

ISCBorisB

After reading about CGI callout and Inline callout, I see both doing the same...

Not sure what you have been reading - but these are two very different animals.

"Inline" is an instrument to dynamically modify Datacapture Template. It's executed as a
Server Thread, is not interactive and has no Information about Data Capture Record, only about
template. In fact, DCR may not yet exist at a time when this is executed (new DCR and corresponding CLT's).

"CGI Callout" is an instrument to "Enhance" (not always Update) a Data Capture Record Interface.
Execution threads are normally Server/Browser or just Browser, are often interactive, etc. CGI Callout
can not modify DCT but may update DCR Items' Values.

There *may* be a small functional overlap between the two, like populating some drop-down with possible
values, etc. My personal rule of thumb in such cases is "If it can be done as inline it must be done as
inline!". You normally do a CGI if you need DCR Information, additional user input or both