ColdFusion, one of the premier programming languages launched for making web application easy was originally the brainchild of Allaire. It was first introduced to the market in 1995 and subsequently went onto become an Adobe product, presently being sold as well as produced by Adobe. The web application development language today holds the credit of being in the market for the longest time. Well, it is to be noted that ColdFusion actually is two things rolled into one. It is not only a language, but also an application server.
The software makes use of the ColdFusion language commonly referred to as CFML (ColdFusion Markup Language) for writing applications that will be running on that server. However, the programming language can also be integrated on the top of several other application servers, offering a simple and alternate scripting syntax specifically for high-end servers. The CFML language usually facilitates the creation of powerful applications easily as well as quickly.
Some interesting facts on ColdFusion state it to be the top commercial application server as well as the second to ASP in published pages. The programming language is used in a range of applications that include e-commerce sites, dynamic websites, and portals. Data reporting applications along with Intranet hold a significant majority of applications of ColdFusion.
What Makes ColdFusion a Superior Choice against Other Web Application development Alternatives?
Here is a quick look at the reasons that make ColdFusion a top choice against all other programming languages along with applications existing in the market:
1. Rapid Development of Software and Applications - Well, ColdFusion holds the credit of producing best results in the shortest time without compromising on the efficiency as well as performance of the applications. It not only helps accelerating the pace of large development tasks, but also makes way for simple scripting tasks. Additionally, it also helps saving hundreds and thousands of dollars in respect to long-term development process.
2. Powerful and Able – The latest updates introduced by the software has made it possible to write the application in a way similar to Object-Oriented programming language making use of classes, methods, along with functions. Today, it also comes with a huge library of integrated services.
3. Supports Cross Platform Operation– The software provides a flexible hosting choice, which includes Windows, Mac, Linux, and UNIX.
4. Incorporation with Top Web Technologies – The web development language can effortlessly incorporate with the top web technologies of Adobe. It is considered as one of the most compatible and fastest development language when integrated with Adobe LiveCycle ES, Media Server, Flash, AIR, PDF, and Flex. Additionally, it also comes with many other integrated abilities that enable effortless association with the top Microsoft products like MSSQL, .Net platform, and MS office components.
5. High Performance –This particular characteristic stands as the biggest benefit of developing applications with ColdFusion. Once, configured properly, it supports rapid development of applications in less time and without compromising on the performance as well as efficiency of the same. The execution time is quite fast and sometime even gets better than several other web development languages existing in the market.
6. Debugging abilities – The application software also holds the finest debugging output in respect to troubleshooting. It extends immense help in the process with the support of the latest ColdFusion Builder.
7. Development Environments – Today, the programming language comes with its own Eclipse programming IDE tool known as ColdFusion Builder. This helps accelerating the process of application engineering making the entire procedure better.
8. Scalable and Robust – The web application development language not only helps developing applications for small businesses, but also for large enterprises.
9. Credibility – Well, when it comes to credibility, the development language holds to its credit some of the big names that have relied upon the same and received superior benefits.
10. Good Development Community - ColdFusion also holds to its credit of having a loyal development community that regularly hosts significant international conferences on the programming language as well as several related technologies.
11. Easy to Learn – The web application programming language is easy to learn. All you need to do is get hold of the programming principles and it will be a smooth sail henceforth.
Based on the above-mentioned explanations, it can be undeniably said that ColdFusion language has carved a good niche in the market. It is still being upgraded by Adobe regularly, as updated versions are being introduced to the web application development market at periodic intervals. Therefore, it can be easily stated that the web application programming language is doing very good in the particular domain and is expected to shine better in the years to come. The fact gets reconfirmed by the steadily increasing number of companies providing Coldfusion development services worldwide.
We provide ColdFusion application development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified ColdFusion programmers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
Adobe has released the updated version of ColdFusion with a set of advanced features to meet the latest trends in rapid web application development. Some of these features enable web application developers to embrace futuristic technologies like HTML5 WebSockets, HTML5 video player, RESTful web services support and HTML5 enhancements. ColdFusion 10 also offers a set of features that makes it easier for programmers to build dynamic and interactive internet applications.
Along with saving the time required for writing longer lines of code, the features like strong encryption libraries, database enhancements, enhanced caching and security enhancements further make it easier for the developers to deploy the application in a hassle-free way. If you are planning to migrate to the latest version of ColdFusion, it is time to have a look at some of the key features that makes it easier to develop and deploy a variety of web applications. That will help you evaluate ColdFusion development services providers better.
Some of the Easy yet Powerful Development Capabilities provided by ColdFusion 10
1. Advantages of Java Libraries: The updated version of the rapid web application development platform is designed by integrating Java and ColdFusion. So you can load the Java libraries directly from custom paths without restarting the server. At the same time, you also have options to enhance your productivity by invoking ColdFusion components (CFCs) from Java. Also, you can create dynamic proxies from individual CFCs, and use these as Java objects.
2. Easy to Work with PDF Documents: Most web applications, nowadays, use PDF documents to share relevant information with users. But developers often have to write lengthy code to integrate PDF documents in their application. ColdFusion 10 allows you to work with PDF files efficiently without writing any extra code. You can also use the feature to easily add headers, footers, images and watermarks to the documents. Further, the data can be populated and retrieved from PDF forms, and also be shared with user by avoiding all types of security threats.
3. Enhanced Object Relational Mapping: Most developers find it a daunting task to develop and manage applications that are not dependent on databases. ColdFusion 10 supports enhanced object relational mapping that enables you to built and manage database-independent application without writing SQL queries. You can use named SQL queries and stored procedure to run the database-independent applications in a smooth and flexible way. Also, you can use the SQL logging options to obtain improved debug information.
4. Language and Script Enhancements: ColdFusion 10 further makes it easier for developers to build robust web application through script and language enhancements. A programmer can easily learn, and use tag-based CFML to build comprehensive web applications within a short span of time. The updated version also comes with enhanced support for CFSCRIPT. It also offers language enhancement to optimize the quality and readability of your code. At the same time, the language enhancements also enable you to use auto-constructor to initialize CFC properties, closures to have better control on your code, and CFC method chaining to boost your coding efficiency.
5. Rich Ajax User Interface Controls: Ajax UI controls are commonly used by web application developers to boost the user experience. So you may be looking for faster and convenient ways to use advanced Ajax user interface controls. ColdFusion 10 allows you to use a wide variety of these controls through CFML tags and attributes. At the same time, the client-side Ajax applications can be smoothly associated with ColdFusion components on the web server. These controls enable developers to make their internet applications more intuitive and compelling without putting any extra time and effort.
6. Adobe ColdFusion Builder Integration: Adobe has further included ColdFusion Builder, an IDE designed based on Eclipse to boost the experience of ColdFusion application developers. You can avail the integrated server management and enhanced functionality as CMFL extensions. With the ColdFusion Builder, you can accelerate the internet application development using a set of functions like code assist, code formatting, code insight, color coding, code snippets and quick fix.
7. Improved File System and Navigation: Most programmers look for advanced virtual file system to develop websites without frequent input/output calls. ColdFusion 10 allows generating dynamic virtual files, and getting these executed directly from FTP, memory, and ZIP or JAR files. At the same time, the XPath integration makes it easier for you to native through XML documents quickly. The built-in XSLT integration can also be used to convert your XML documents into XHTML and Xforms.
A developer can further choose the features and functionalities to meet the specific needs of his web applications. But the advanced features will make it easier for programmers to easily develop applications for clients belonging to different industries and regions.
We provide ColdFusion application development services. If you would like to talk to one of our certified ColdFusion programmers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.
