ColdFusion 8 Makes Developers' Lives Easier

The frequent changes in user preferences have made it essential for developers to complete web applications within a very short span of time. So many developers frequently explore fast and efficient ways to make robust web application without writing lengthy codes. As a rapid web application development platform, ColdFusion is widely used by developers. ColdFusion was initially designed as a tool to make it easier for developers connect simple HTML pages to a database.

But Adobe launched ColdFusion 8 with a set of advanced version meet the ongoing trends in the age of web 2.0. The upgraded version of ColdFusion also provides a set of tools to developers to easily build powerful web applications. Along with Microsoft .NET integration and built-in Ajax widgets, ColdFusion 8 also came with specialized image manipulation functions. At the same time, the software is also available for several operating systems including Windows Server, Linux and Mac OS X.

At the same time, a developer also gets the option to avail a number of advantages including enhanced reporting, improved database interaction, stronger encryption libraries, PDF manipulation and merging capabilities (CFPDF), and array and structure improvements. You can further develop ColdFusion applications using a set of customized tools like CFEclipse, Macromedia HomeSite 5.x and Adobe Dreamweaver CS4. On the whole, ColdFusion 8 has completely changed the traditional way of coldfusion web development.

How ColdFusion 8 has Made Developers’ Lives Easier

Building AJAX-based Web Applications

ColdFusion 8 comes with as set of new features and tags that enables you to build AJAX-based powerful web application without putting any extra time and effort. If you are familiar with the function and tag syntax, then you will enjoy building AJAX-based web application using ColdFusion 8. For instance, you can create an Ajax grid simply by using cfgrid tag. The tag even allows you to bind a grid to the dataset returned by a CFC method by referring to the cffunction. Similar features can also be used to integrate rich user interface elements to your web application.

Using Additional Tags and Functions

ColdFusion 8 also comes with additional tags and functions that make it easier for you to move data back and forth within JavaScript. For example, you can create functions using cfajaxproxy tag that will reside within a CFC, but the functions can be called from a page using JavaScript. Also, the feature can be used to convert ColdFusion data types automatically into a data type that can be used seamlessly within an array, JSON packets or any other JavaScript block. You can even place built-in functions while creating a proxy, and use a callback handler for the asynchronous method calls.

Multi-Threading

The updated version of ColdFusion is also designed with multi-thread capabilities. A developer can use the feature to improve the performance of a request that includes a long-running process. The long-running process can simply be transferred to a thread, and boost the performance of the user request. Also, you have options to choose and use from a variety of request threads. At the same time, new threads can be created easily using the cfthread tag. As the code contained insider the cfthread tag is executed in a synchronous way, the current user request will be processed as part of an independent block. So the web page will be loaded immediately by eliminating the time required for the completion of a specific process.

Advanced ColdFusion Debugger

ColdFusion 8 is also designed with built in the Eclipse IDE that removes the limitation of the conventional ColdFusion Studio. Any developer familiar with Flex Builder or CFEclips can start using the debugger without any extra training. The advanced debugger has made it easier for developers to set breakpoints, along with running debug requests on the local as well as remote ColdFusion instance. After setting the breakpoints, you can easily check the value of each variable contained in the request. The feature further enables you to easily identify and fix the inconsistencies in value setting. Once you start using the debugger, it will be more convenient for to make your web applications bug-free.

In addition to these features, ColdFusion 8 further makes the developers’ lives easier by offering a set of additional features like Exchange Server integration sophisticated PDF integration, Microsoft .Net integration and RSS/Atom integration. Also, you have option to manipulate images and zip files to enhance the efficiency and performance of a variety of web applications.

We provide coldfusion application development services. If you would like to know more about our expert coldfusion developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.