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Explanation of the capabilities of the ColdFusion markup language. Also refer to Allaire, database, client, server, ODBC, Oracle, e-commerce, education, data management, Ron Kurtus, School for Champions. Copyright © Restrictions
Overview of ColdFusion
by Ron Kurtus (revised 16 February 2004)
Most Web pages use the hypertext markup language (HTML). Adobe (formerly Macromedia) ColdFusion extends the capabilities of HTML with its ColdFusion markup language (CFML). Pages written in CFML are then interpreted on a server that includes the ColdFusion Web server application. ColdFusion allows for database interaction and dynamically populated Web pages. Its advantage over other languages that do the same thing, such as Active Server Pages (ASP) lies in the simplicity and compactness of the markup language. This allow programmers to develop applications quicker and maintain the code more effectively. ColdFusion is used in cataloging, e-commerce and areas where information needs to be changed on the fly.
Questions you may have include:
- What is the ColdFusion markup language?
- What are its main capabilities?
- How can I use the program?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Markup language
The ColdFusion markup language (CFML) encompasses the Web's hypertext markup language (HTML) and extensible markup language (XML). It primarily consists of pairs of tags that define commands and different activities. The tags all start with CF, to differentiate them from HTML tags, which can also be used in a ColdFusion page.
Whereas an HTML page eds in .HTM or .HTML, ColdFusion pages end in .CFM.
A commonly used tag is <CFQUERY>, which commands a query from a designated database and used standard SQL search comments. The output of a query is defined by the <CFOUTPUT> pair of tags.
ColdFusion server
A ColdFusion Server application must be installed on a server in order for its just-in-time (JIT) compiler to turn the CFML into the pages that get served. This is the major disadvantage of the program, since Web providers must purchase and install the expensive server software. To use ColdFusion, you must be sure the Internet Service Provider (ISP) or host has a ColdFusion server.
Macomedia provides a Personal ColdFusion Web Server with Studio and Dreamweaver that allows testing of applications on a PC. With quick connections, it is sometimes easier to simply upload a file to the server than to try to test it on the PC.
Capabilities
Applications developed in ColdFusion can access databases using Microsoft's OLE DB, ODBC, or drivers that access Oracle and Sybase databases. ColdFusion can be coordinated with distributed applications that use CORBA or Microsoft's DCOM to interact with other network applications.
ColdFusion is also scalable, such that it allows both the size of a database and the number of users that can be served to grow.
Writing code
ColdFusion code can be written in any text editor, but it is much easier in an application such as ColdFusion Studio or Dreamweaver MX, since there is a listing of tags and code-checking capabilities. Macromedia discontinued Studio and integrated most of its features into Dreamweaver with the MX upgrade. But many developers still use Studio, because of its ease of use and less demand on resources.
Uses
Any company that has a large database of employees, products or content can use the data-driven metaphor to better manager their web sites. This includes uses for human resources in a company Intranet, e-commerce, and education.
Summary
ColdFusion is a possible program to use for data-driven, dynamic web sites.
Excel in what you do
Resources
The following resources provide information on this subject.
Websites
Books
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
1. What is ColdFusion Studio?
2. What is needed to display ColdFusion pages on the Web?
3. What is a major application of ColdFusion?
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in ColdFusion Development. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
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Overview of ColdFusion