webserv

webserv is a minimal C/C++ web server, inspired by Nginx. It implements the core functionality of a web server, including handling HTTP requests, serving static content, executing CGI scripts, and providing configurable error and index pages.

This project demonstrates a lightweight implementation of a web server, with a simple build system via Makefile and organized directories for source code, configuration files, test assets, and templates.

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Features

• HTTP Request Handling: Supports GET, POST, and DELETE requests.
• Static File Serving: Serves files from configured document roots (HTML, CSS, JS, images, etc.).
• CGI Support: Executes CGI scripts and returns dynamic content.
• Directory Indexing: Generates directory listings or uses index templates from indexes/ when no index file is present.
• Multiple Configuration Support: Reads configuration files from confFiles/ to define:
  • Ports to listen on
  • Document roots
  • Error pages
  • Index files
  • Allowed HTTP methods
• Basic Logging: Logs requests and responses.
• Concurrent Connections: Handles multiple client connections via select.
• Signal Handling: Gracefully handles termination signals (e.g., SIGINT).

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Tech Stack

• Language: C/C++
• Build: Make
• Networking: POSIX/BSD sockets
• Formatting: clang-format

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Build & Run

git clone https://github.com/procrastinator-101/webserv.git
cd webserv
make
./webserv confFiles/example.conf

Usage

After building the server, you can run it with a configuration file:

# Start the server
./webserv confFiles/example.conf

Testing webserv in a Browser

Follow these steps to test your webserv web server using a browser:

1. Start the Server

Make sure your server is built and run it with a configuration file:

./webserv confFiles/example.conf

Ensure the configuration file specifies a document root (folder with your HTML, CSS, JS files). Ensure the configuration specifies the port (default: 8080, or your custom port).

2. Open a Browser

Launch any web browser (Chrome, Firefox, Edge, etc.). Enter the server URL in the address bar:

http://localhost:8080/

Replace 8080 with your configured port if different.

3. Access Static Content

Place index.html or other static files in the document root. Navigate to them in the browser:

http://localhost:8080/index.html
http://localhost:8080/css/style.css
http://localhost:8080/images/logo.png

Existing files should be served correctly. Missing files will return the custom error page (from error_pages/), if configured.

4. Test Directory Indexing

Navigate to a directory without an index file:

http://localhost:8080/test_folder/

webserv should either:

• Show a directory listing using indexes/ templates, or
• Return a 403/404 error page if directory indexing is disabled (default behavior).

5. Test CGI Scripts

Place a CGI script in your configured CGI folder (e.g., cgi-bin/). Navigate to the CGI URL:

http://localhost:8080/cgi-bin/script.cgi

webserv will execute the script and display the output.

6. Stop the Server

Press Ctrl+C in the terminal where webserv is running to stop it gracefully.