ColdFusion Editors - Types and Features

As a commercial web application development framework, ColdFusion enables programmers to rapidly create complex and large internet applications. However, the platform uses a scripting language called ColdFusion Markup Language (CFML). CFML uses tag syntax identical to HTML, whereas its script syntax resembles JavaScript. The programmers can further use CFML to generate other languages including HTML, CSS, JavaScript and XML. But the web programmers have to frequently modify the CFML code while creating internet applications with ColdFusion. The ColdFusion editors make it easier for the web programmers to edit their CFML code. They also have option to choose from different types of ColdFusion editors. Some of these editors are commercial, whereas others are open source and free.

Five Widely Used ColdFusion Editors and Their Features

1) CFEclipse

As an open source project, CFEclipse aims to provide a professional quality IDE to ColdFusion developers by creating a plug-in for the Eclipse platform. The editor can be availed by web application developers without paying any licensing fees. In addition to Eclipse's in-built code navigation features, CFEclipse also comes with code folding, code insight, auto-complete, bracket matching, snippets, method and outline views, keyboard shortcuts and toolbar features. However, the developers can use the ColdFusion editor only after installing Eclipse.

2) FirstPage

Despite being designed primarily as a HTML editor, FirstPage supports ColdFusion extensively. It enables programmers to write HTML and CFML code without any interruption. FirstPage also perfectly understands the CF tags. It also makes it easier for developers to edit, format and validate code with syntax highlighting. At the same time, the developer can further access templates, code snippets, wizards, DOM tree browser and WYSIWYG support. The ColdFusion editor can be downloaded as a freeware or shareware. Also, the users have option to use commercial version of FirstPage that comes with additional features, more code snippets and larger template libraries.

3) ColdFusionPad

As a freeware, the full featured text editor is managed by the community of ColdFusion developers. The developers can use ColdFusionPad to understand the use of ColdFusion tags, functions and code with examples. For instance, they can use the text editor to edit CFML code easily by clicking on the drop down menus and inserting the code directly. At the same time, ColdFusionPad allows developers to create their own code library by adding code snippets and examples.

4) Adobe ColdFusion Builder

Adobe has designed the commercial ColdFusion editor with an IDE that can be used by developers to create and deploy both internet and mobile applications. Adobe has integrated ColdFusion Builder 3 with its PhoneGap Build. The integration makes it easier for programmers to create mobile apps and deliver them as installed apps from both Android and iOS. At the same time, the on-device debugging capabilities of the editor enable developers to identify and fix errors in the browser-based mobile applications and installed mobile apps. They can further use the built-in Weinre server to assess the look and feel of the mobile and web applications across multiple devices. The latest version of ColdFusion Builder also comes with smart coding option for CFML tags, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, ColdFusion Components (CFCs), database tables and user-defined functions.

5) Sublime Text

The commercial ColdFusion editor is designed as a sophisticated text editor for both code and markup. Along with allowing users to open the files with only a few key strokes, it also allows them to jump to the lines, symbols or words in an instance. At the same time, its multiple selection feature makes it easier for programmers to change multiple lines interactively and manipulate files more quickly. A single license enables users to use Sublime Text on multiple computers regardless of the operating systems.

On the whole, the web developers need to pick the right ColdFusion editor to reduce the overall development time and efforts. Many developers opt for open source editors to avoid incurring additional cost. However, it is always important for the developers to compare the features of both open source and commercial editors according to the specific needs of their project. You can get in touch with a custom Coldfusion development company who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

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

Why to Use ColdFusion Builder when Developing Applications?

To develop rich applications rapidly, many developers rely on ColdFusion. Adobe has further launched ColdFusion Builder to make it easier for programmers to build complex mobile applications in a quicker and more efficient way. The Eclipse-based development IDE can be used by developers to create, debug, test and deploy a variety of mobile applications across different mobile platforms and devices. Adobe has further updated ColdFusion Builder 3 with a set of features to support the end-to-end workflow of mobile app developers.

What Makes ColdFusion Builder 3 Essential for Mobile Application Development

Easy to Install: As ColdFusion Builder is an Eclipse development IDE it can be installed either as a plugin or standalone application. If Eclipse is already set up on your system, you can opt for the plugin version of ColdFusion Builder. On the other hand, the standalone application will create a packaged version of ColdFusion Builder that includes Eclipse. Based on your needs, you can decide the most appropriate way to install and use the development IDE.

Cross-Platform Mobile App Development: Nowadays, most companies plan to build apps by targeting multiple mobile devices and platforms to get higher returns. But programmers have to write lengthy and complex code to optimize the look and feel of the mobile apps across different platforms. But ColdFusion Builder makes it easier for them to build mobile apps that run seamlessly on Android and iOS. Adobe has further integrated PhoneGap Build in the IDE to help developers in delivering the code as installed apps.

On-Device Debugging: The programmers have further option to identify and fix the bugs, errors and flaws in a mobile application by using the on-device debugging feature of ColdFusion Builder. The feature enables them to check both browser-based mobile applications and installed mobile apps. The actual usage of the mobile application can also be simulated by connecting a mobile device to the IDE remotely.

Inspect the Look and Feel of the App across Multiple Devices: To make a mobile app compatible with multiple platforms, developers have to modify its overall look and feel on several devices. ColdFusion Builder comes with the built-in Weinre server to make it easier for programmers to inspect the look and feel of an app on multiple devices. Further, they can use the IDE to modify the properties of required element, while monitoring the changes in real time.

Smart Code Refactoring: Often mobile app developers have to restructure their code while renaming a function, variable or CFC. ColdFusion Builder makes it easier for developers to speed up the CFML application development by restructuring the code automatically. The IDE further identifies the required attributes of each tag, and use the tag editor to assign values. The feature makes it easier for programmers to maintain their existing code, while minimizing coding errors.

Intelligent Coding Option: The ColdFusion Builder 3 also provides code assist for HTML, JavaScript, CSS, CFScript and CFML. The programmers can further avail ordered code assist for the third-party JavaScript libraries that are included in the application to enhance its performance. They also have option to get intelligent coding options for HTML, JavaScript, CSS, data tables, user-defined functions and ColdFusion components. The intelligent coding assistance makes it easier for novice web application developers to switch from their existing IDEs to ColdFusion Builder within a shorter span of time.

Before migrating to the Eclipse-based development IDE, programmers have option to download and use the trial version of ColdFusion Builder 3 for 60 days. So it becomes easier for enterprises to evaluate the pros and cons of ColdFusion Builder according to specific needs of their mobile application development project.You can get in touch with a coldfusion web application development company who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide Coldfusion development services. If you would like to hire expert coldfusion web developer for your development needs, please contact us Mindfire Solutions.

How Can Coldfusion Builder 3 Give You A Better Experience With Coldfusion 11?

Thanks to a series of value added features, Coldfusion Builder 3 provides a much better experience with Coldfusion 11. Let us discuss the highlights of ColdFusion 3 as well as 11.

WorkFlow of Mobile Application Development

CF 11 along with CF Builder 3 provides the users a very distinctive end-to-end workflow, when it comes to development of mobile applications. It addresses all the challenges and takes care of the issues that crop up while building, deploying or debugging various enterprise class apps – both installed as well as web based mobile applications.

Enhancement or development of languages

Version 11 of CF comes up with a series of language enhancements along with a wide range of value added features that can be termed as full CFSCRIPT support, JSON enhancements and support for the Member Functions.

PDF Functionality

Version 11 of CF is available with a new HTML engine and the option of PDF conversion that converts HTML/CSS to their corresponding PDFs in a seamless as well as perfect way. Besides, CFPDF comes up with some additional functionality for supporting various digital signatures along with archiving PDFs.

Security

CF 11 also features an in build mechanism, that stops the access to the Administrator and its components from any external access. Besides, it also has certain value added functions that prevent XSS and in the process, help simultaneous logins from different locations through CFLOGIN. Besides, it is also compatible with mail encryption with the help of CFMAIL.

Again, CF 3 when gets bundled with version 11, takes the form of a bundled copy of CF Builder 3. Again, CF documentation is much similar to and in line with the concept of writing similar codes in other languages, namely JavaScript. Besides, it also comes up with support for map() along with the reduce() functionality to various structures, arrays, lists etc. in Adobe CFML. Map() as well as reduce() is extremely important when we talk about expressive programming in JS as well as across other big idea tools. Again, when so far as programming using functional style is concerned, map() and reduce() are the most vital tools that will come in handy to achieve that objective.

Version 11 of CF has really enhanced the performance of the version 3. The IDE starts as well as complete all the Eclipse based setups within a matter of a few seconds –that means, much faster than under Builder 2.

CF version 11 is also available with the capacity of building applications more quickly. It works more quickly as well as aptly with the full support of CFSCRIPT, social login integration along with some other language enhancements. It also generates high end PDF files from the HTML pages and manipulates them in an extensive way. It also archives these files as self contained records or documents.

The version 11 is also compatible with mobile technology, allowing maximum CFML expertise along with skills. This also gives the liberty of supercharging the workflow of mobile applications with the use of using unique debugging as well as multiple device capabilities.

It is also extremely easy to deploy and thus it makes the server more secured as well as safe, with the use of new functions that are designed for sanitizing the user input and restricting the default remote access to the administrative portal.

It also helps in Tomcat integration, improved caching, along with improved MS Office integration, for making sure that the applications run faster and without the need to change any of the codes whatsoever.

With all these value added features, ColdFusion 11 enhances the functionality of its version 3, thereby giving the end users a much better experience, making the platform much adorable as well as more popular amongst the end users. You can get in touch with a custom coldfusion development company who can help you develop web apps that are stable, scalable and secure.

We provide Coldfusion development services. If you would like to hire expert coldfusion developers for your development needs, please contact us Mindfire Solutions.

ColdFusion Experiment Maybe Holds Promise … Possibly

Each business must stay tuned to the latest technological trends to optimize its online presence. In addition to improving user experience, some of these technologies are also effective in simplifying complex website development process. As a widely used rapid web application development platform, ColdFusion enables enterprises of all sizes to avail a set of innovative features and advantages. The J2EE certified technology can be used as a programming language as well as web server. 

As the technology is compatible with major server operating systems, it becomes easier for ColdFusion programmers to build web applications using a language of their choice. Further, they can integrate the applications seamlessly with widely used component models and internet standards. At the same time, Adobe has launched the latest version of ColdFusion with innovative features to enhance the performance, efficiency and security of complex and content-driven web applications without putting any extra effort. On the whole, an enterprise can always consider adopting ColdFusion to rapidly build websites and internet applications.

Significant Reasons why Enterprises Needs to Adopt ColdFusion 

Built-in Support for HTML5 : Within a very short span of time, HTML5 is being used by developers to build a variety of web applications including online games, social networks, ecommerce, enterprise dashboard and online collaboration. ColdFusion 10 is designed with built-in HTML5 support that makes it easier for developers to build these applications. They can instantly access HTML5 WebSockets to execute a point-to-point data push with real-time server response or to publish data to target multiple clients. At the same time, they can use the built-in CFCHART tag to access a large collection of interactive client-side HTML5 charts. Further, they have option to customize the charts developed based on Adobe Flash technology.

Easy to Build Mobile Apps : A large percentage of users, nowadays, access websites on their mobile devices. So each website or web application must be compatible with mobile devices to get more visitors. With built-in support for HTML5 and Representational State Transfer (REST) web services, ColdFusion makes it easier for developers to build robust mobile apps. The REST web service is designed with support for all HTTP methods along with XML and JSON serialization. So the developers have option to publish ColdFusion components as REST web service to build mobile application interfaces. Also, they can use the WebSockets to facilitate bidirectional and uninterrupted communication.

Enhanced Caching and Tomcat Integration : Adobe has upgraded ColdFusion by replacing Adobe JRun with an in-built Apache Tomcat application server. The server enables developers to cache specific portions of web pages that do not use updated data frequently, along with creating multiple caching regions dynamically. At the same time, the programmer can further avail the support of a large and active community of developers, while staying tuned to the regular security updated and recent web development standards.

Efficient Task Management : Each developer has to explore option to arrange and manage task according to the specific needs of the application. The innovative task management feature of ColdFusion 10 enables programmers to manage the tasks in an organized, scalable and granular way as required by the web application. Along with using application-specific tasks, the programmer also avail a set of related features like grouping, chaining and event handling.

Enhanced Security and Scalability : Along with deciding the best features and functionality for the internet application, developers also need to explore options to enhance its security and scalability. ColdFusion 10 allows programmers to easily enhance the scalability of their applications by creating and managing multiple instances in a virtual and clustered environment. At the same time, they also have options to avail built-in authentication and encryption options to protect their websites from cross-site requests forgery (CSRF) and cross-site scripting (CSX) by sanitizing and filtering the user input.

Adobe further allows enterprises to choose from three different editions of ColdFusion according to their specific needs and budget. The ColdFusion 10 Enterprise Edition is designed to help enterprises in developing and deploying multiple websites and internet applications on one or more web servers. At the same time, the ColdFusion 10 Standard Edition makes it easier for small and medium sized organizations to configure and manage a single application. An enterprise can further use the ColdFusion 10 Developer Edition as a full-featured server to develop a variety of websites and internet applications.

We provide ColdFusion application development services. If you want to hire a ColdFusion programmer for your ColdFusion development needs, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.