Pike scripts are similar to CGI scripts, in so far that they consist of a file that is executed when the user tries to access it. Pike scripts are however handled differently than CGI scripts. Instead of starting an external program the Pike script is run internally by Challenger.

The way that Pike scripts are handled is much more efficient than starting external CGI scripts, Pike scripts will generally respond faster and use less resources. It is also possible for them to cache data between requests.

Since Pike scripts are run internally in the web server they have security implications, a Pike script can do anything the web server can. It is however possible to run them in a mode where a separate process is created for each request. This is safe, but on the other hand you miss much of the advantages of Pike scripts.

Pike scripts are handled by the Pike script support module.