Ways to Optimize Your ColdFusion Application

When it comes to optimization of ColdFusion application, there are quite a variety of processes that can be followed. ColdFusion optimization mostly follows a process that includes a proper development as well as coding practices. For instance, a good database usage or design is one of the most significant contributors of effective ColdFusion applications.

Performance is an extremely essential feature of a server or application and things are no different in case of ColdFusion. For internet based applications, it is important that a huge number of users are able to access it, for that is what will evaluate the performance metrics of the application at the end of the day. When we speak about ColdFusion, it is a language as well as a server, and that is the reason, there are a number of approaches that can be taken to improve its performance.

Technically speaking, there are basically three sectors that can be tuned in so as to improve or optimize ColdFusion application. They are:

• Java Virtual Machine or JVM parameters
• Administrator settings
• Coding the best practices

Now let us look into these thee parameters in fairly details.

Tuning the performance by using the JVM Parameters

ColdFusion is actually based on J2EE platform and hence, JVM parameters are the best, when it comes to tuning or optimizing its performance. In fact, version 10 of the application by default comes up with Java Run Time Environment or JRE version 1.6.

Again, Sun JVM is compatible with a number of arguments that are used for optimizing or tuning the performance, alter debugging and change the fundamental behaviors.

Tools for measuring the performance

When it comes to measuring or evaluating the performance of the ColdFusion application, one of the most tried and tested tools is GCViewer. It helps to collect the garbage collection profiles and evaluate various metrics like heap size, frequency, pauses and so on. Another tool that comes in handy for evaluating the end to end performance is the freeware JMeter software from Apache.

Again, ColdFusion administrator also is an excellent option that can be used to evaluate the performance. However, it depends upon certain issues like the amount of load, number of involved CPUs and last but not the least, on the very application itself.

Another highly effective way of optimizing the performance of the ColdFusion application is disabling the debugging process. It does not mean simply turning off all the IP addresses that are assigned for debugging. The process needs to be turned off completely. This is a tried and tested method and it is seen that turning off the debugging process significantly increases the activities by many folds.

Another way to boost up the speed is using bind variables. In CF, this can be accomplished with the use of <cfqueryparam>tags in the SQL statements. Besides being secured, it is faster as well.

The latest CFMX and the Java versions come up with certain server settings that can well be adjusted for optimizing the activities. The settings page of CF administrator comes up with a setting for the maximum simultaneous requests. One needs to adjust the value depending upon the specific server as well as the application. If the value is too low, then the requests will start queuing up, thereby slowing the proceedings down. Again, if the value is too high, the CPU will start getting bogged down in its effort to process too many numbers of threads simultaneously.

Most of the optimizing methods of CF involve a better development as well as coding practices. Proper database designing along with usage is some of the prime contributors when it comes to optimizing the performance.

Two most important CF MX tools for optimizing ColdFusion are cfstoredproctag and cfquerytagwith cached Withinattribute.

One of the primary reasons behind the slowing down of the CF is incorrect as well as poor database designing and usage. Hence these methods need to be followed in an efficient way for optimizing the activities of CF. You can get in touch with a ColdFusion web development company who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide ColdFusion application development services. If you would like to hire ColdFusion developer for your development needs, please contact us Mindfire Solutions.