MACROMEDIA COLDFUSION 5-DEVELOPING User manual

Macromedia® Incorporated
Developing
ColdFusion
Applications
MacroMedia ColdFusion®5

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Part number: ZCF50MDEV

Contents
About This Book . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xv
Intended Audience . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . xvi
New Features . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .xvi
Developer Resources . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . xvii
About ColdFusion Documentation. . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . xviii
Printed and online documentation set . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . xix
Viewing online documentation . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . xix
Printing ColdFusion documentation . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . xix
Getting Answers. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . xx
Contacting Macromedia . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . xx
Chapter 1 Introduction to ColdFusion . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
A QuickWeb Overview. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. 2
Before You Begin . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. 3
HTML . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. 3
Relational database design and management . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. 3
SQL . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . 3
What is ColdFusion?. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. 4
Editionsof ColdFusion . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. 4
ColdFusion Featuresand Components . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. 5
Aboutthe features . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . 5
About thecomponents .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. 6
How ColdFusion Server Works. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. 8
Chapter 2 Writing Your First ColdFusion Application . 9
The Development Process. . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 10
Workingwith ColdFusion ApplicationPages . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 10
Aboutapplicaton pages . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . 10
Creating application pages . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 10
Savingapplication pages . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 11
Viewing application pages . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 11

iv Contents
Workingwith Variables . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 13
About variables . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 13
Adding more variablesto the application . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 15
Development Considerations. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 16
Chapter 3 Querying a Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Publishing Dynamic Data . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 18
Understanding DatabaseBasics . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 19
Understanding Data Sources . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 20
About Open Database Connectivity . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 20
Accessing Data Sources . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 21
Adding data sources . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 22
Specifying data sourcesdynamically . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . 24
Retrieving Data . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 25
The cfquery tag . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 25
The cfquery tag syntax . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 25
Writing SQL. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 26
Basic SQL syntax elements . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 26
SQL notes and considerations . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 27
Building Queries . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 28
Query notes and considerations . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . 29
Outputting Query Data . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 30
Query output notes and considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . 31
Getting Information About Query Results. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 32
Query properties notes and considerations . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 33
Using Query Results inQueries . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . 34
Query of query benefits . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 34
Creating queries of queries . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 34
Performing a query on a query . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 35
Chapter 4 Retrieving and Formatting Data . . . . . . . . . 39
Using Forms to Specify the Data toRetrieve. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 40
form tag syntax . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 40
Form controls . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 41
Form notes and considerations . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 44
Workingwith Action Pages . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 45
Processing form variables on action pages . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 45
Dynamically generating SQL statements . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 45
Creating action pages . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 46
Testing for a variable’s existence . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 47
Form variable notes and considerations . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 48
Workingwith Queries and Data. . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 49

DevelopingWebApplicationswithColdFusionDRAFT 5/9/01 Path/Filename/Author
v
Using HTMLtables to display query results . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 49
Formattingindividual data items . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 50
Performing pattern matching . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 51
Filtering data based on multiple conditions . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 51
Creating table joins . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 52
Buildingflexible search interfaces . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . 52
Returning Results to the User. . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 55
If there are no query results . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 55
Returning results incrementally . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . 56
Chapter 5 Graphing Data . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 59
Creating a Graph . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 60
Graph types . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 60
Creating a basic graph . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 61
Graphing Data . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 62
Graphing a query . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . 62
Graphing individual data points . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 65
Combining a query and data points . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 66
Controlling Graph Appearance . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 67
Common graph characteristics .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 67
Settingbar and horizontalbar chart characteristics . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 68
Settingpie chart characteristics . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 71
Settingline and area graph characteristics . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 74
Linking Dynamically from Graphs . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 77
Chapter 6 Making Variables Dynamic . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81
Dynamically Populating List Boxes. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 82
Creating Dynamic Check Boxes and Multiple-Selection List Boxes. . . . . . . . . . . 84
Check boxes . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 84
Multipleselection lists . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . 86
Ensuring that Variables Exist . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 88
Using cfparam to test for variables and set default values . . . . . . .. . .. . . 88
Requiring users to enter valuesin form fields . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 89
Validating Data Types. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 90
Using cfparam to validate the data type . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . 90
Validating form field data types . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . . 91
Checkingquery parameters with cfqueryparam . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 94
Dynamic SQL. . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . 96
Implementing dynamic SQL . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . 96
Chapter 7 Updating Your Database . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 101
Inserting Data . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 102
Creating anHTML insert form . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 102

vi Contents
Data entry form notes andconsiderations .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 103
Creating anaction page toinsert data . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 103
Updating Data .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 106
Creating anupdate form . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 106
Creating anaction page toupdate data . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 109
Deleting Data . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 112
Deleting a single record . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 112
Deleting multiple records . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 113
Chapter 8 Handling Complex Data
with Structures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 115
About Arrays. . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 116
Basic Array Techniques . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 118
Creating anarray . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 118
Adding elements to anarray . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 119
Referencing elements in dynamic arrays . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 119
Populating Arrays with Data. . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 121
Populating anarray with ArraySet . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 121
Populating anarray with cfloop . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 121
Using nested loops for 2D and 3D arrays . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 122
Populating an arrayfrom a query . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 123
Array Functions . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 124
About Structures . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 125
Structurenotation . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 126
Creating and Using Structures . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 127
Creating structures . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 127
Adding data elements to structures . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 127
Updating valuesin structures . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 128
Getting information about structures . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 129
Copying structures . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 130
Deleting structures . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 130
Structureexample . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 130
Looping throughstructures . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 132
Structure Functions . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 133
Chapter 9 Building Dynamic Forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 135
Creating Forms withthe cfform Tag . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 136
Using HTMLand cfform . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 136
cfform controls . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 137
Preservinginput data with preservedata . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 137
Browser considerations .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 138
Input Validation with cfform Controls . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 139
Validating with regular expressions . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 140

DevelopingWebApplicationswithColdFusionDRAFT 5/9/01 Path/Filename/Author
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Input Validationwith JavaScript . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 144
Handling failed validation . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 144
Example: validating an e-mail address . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 144
Building TreeControls withcftree. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 147
Grouping output from a query .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 148
cftree form variables . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 149
Input validation . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 149
Structuring TreeControls . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 150
Image names ina cftree . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 151
Embedding URLsin a cftree . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 152
Specifying the tree itemin the URL . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 153
Creating Data Grids with cfgrid . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 153
Populating a gridfrom a query .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 154
Creating anUpdateable Grid . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 155
Navigating and entering data ina grid .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 155
Controlling cell contents . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 156
How user edits are returned . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 156
Editingdata in cfgrid . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 157
Updating the database with cfgridupdate . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 159
Updating the database with cfquery . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 160
Building Slider Bar Controls . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 164
Building Text Entry Boxes . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 165
Building Drop-Down List Boxes. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 166
Embedding Java Applets . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 167
Registering a Javaapplet . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 167
Using cfapplet to embedan applet . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 169
Handling form variables from an applet . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 169
Chapter 10 Reusing Code . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 171
Ways to Reuse Code . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 172
Reusing Common Codewithcfinclude . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 172
Using Custom Tags . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 173
Using existing custom tags . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 174
Creating custom CFML tags . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 174
Variable scopes andspecial variables . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 174
Using tagattributes . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 175
Passing values to andfrom custom tags . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 176
Passing custom tag attributes via CFML structures . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 177
Customtag example . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 178
Nesting Custom Tags . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 180
Passing Data Between Nested CustomTags . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 181
What data is accessible? . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 181

viii Contents
Where is data accessible? . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 181
High-level data exchange . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 181
Executing Custom Tags . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 185
Tag instance data . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 185
Modes ofexecution . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 185
Specifying execution modes . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 185
Terminating tag execution .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 186
Access togenerated content . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 187
Installing Custom Tags. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 187
Local tags . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 187
Shared tags . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 187
Managing CustomTags . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 188
Resolving filename conflicts . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 188
Securing custom tags . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 188
Encoding custom tags . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 189
Chapter 11 Preventing and Handling Errors . . . . . . . 191
Debug Settings in theColdFusion Administrator . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 192
Generating debug information for an individual page . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 192
Generating debug information for an individual query . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . 192
Error messages . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 192
CFML Code Validation. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 194
Runtime validation . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 194
The CFML syntax checker . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 194
Troubleshooting Common Problems . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 195
ODBC datasource configuration . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 195
HTTP/URL . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 195
CFML syntax errors . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 195
Error Handling in ColdFusion . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 197
Understanding ColdFusion errors . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 197
Generating Custom Error Messageswith cferror . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 199
Creating anerror applicationpage . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 200
LoggingErrors . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 202
Handling Exceptionsin ColdFusion . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 204
Types of recoverable exceptions supported . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 205
Exception information incfcatch . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 206
Exception handlingstrategies . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 208
Exception handlingexample . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 208
CustomExceptionTypes . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 210
Chapter 12 Using the Application Framework . . . . . 213
Understanding the Web Application Framework. . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 214
Application-level settings and functions . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 214

DevelopingWebApplicationswithColdFusionDRAFT 5/9/01 Path/Filename/Author
ix
Client, Session, Application, and Server scopevariables . . . . . . . . .. . . . . 214
Custom error handling .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 215
Web server security integration . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 215
Mapping an ApplicationFramework . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 216
Processing Application.cfm and OnRequestEnd.cfm . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 216
Defining the directorystructure . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 217
Creating the Application.cfm File . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 219
Namingthe application . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 219
Settingapplication default variables and constants . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 219
Managing the Client State. . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 221
AboutClient and Sessionvariables .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 221
About client cookies . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 222
Managing client state ina clustered environment . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 222
Managing client state without cookies . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 222
Configuring and Using Client Variables. . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 223
Settingup Clientvariable options . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 223
Using Client variables . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 224
Using Session Variables . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 228
EnablingSession variables . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 228
What is a session? . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 228
Storingsession data inSession variables . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 229
Standard Session variables . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 229
Getting a list of Session variables . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 230
Using Application Variables . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 230
Storingapplication data in Application variables . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 230
Applicationvariable timeouts . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 231
Tips for using Application variables . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 231
Getting a list of Application variables . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 231
Using Server Variables . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 232
Locking Code withcflock. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 233
Using cflock .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 233
How cflock works . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 233
Using administrative lock management . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 236
Nesting locks and avoiding deadlocks . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 237
Examples of cflock. . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 238
Chapter 13 Extending ColdFusion Pages with CFML
Scripting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 243
About CFScript. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 244
CFScriptexample . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 244
Supported statements . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 244
The CFScript Language . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 245
Comments . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 245

xContents
Variables . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 245
Expressions . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 245
Statements . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 245
Reserved words . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 248
Differences from JavaScript . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 248
Interaction of CFScript withCFML. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 249
Defining and Using Custom Functions . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 250
Defining functions . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 250
Calling functions . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 251
Using arguments and variables . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 251
Identifying custom functions . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 253
Examples ofcustom functons . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 253
Using customfunctions effectively . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 254
Chapter 14 Using Regular Expressions in Functions . . . .
259
About Regular Expressions . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 260
Basic Regular Expression Rules . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 261
Character classes . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 261
Multicharacter Regular Expressions . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 263
Limiting input string size . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 264
Anchoring a regular expressionto a string .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 264
Using Backreferences. . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 265
Using backreferencesin replacement strings . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 265
Returning Matched Subexpressions . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 266
Regular Expression Examples. . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 267
Regular expressionsin CFML . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 267
Chapter 15 Indexing and Searching Data . . . . . . . . . 269
Searching a ColdFusionWeb Site.. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 270
Advantagesof using Verity . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 270
Supported File Types . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 271
Support for International Languages . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 272
Creating a Searchable Data Source . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 273
Creating a Collection . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 273
Populating and indexing a collection . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 276
Selecting anindexing method . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 277
Buildinga search interface . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 279
Indexing Query Results . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 282
Indexing database query results . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 282
Indexing cfldapquery results . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 283
Indexingcfpop query results . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 284

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Using Query Expressions. . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 285
Simple query expressions . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 285
Explicitquery expressions . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 286
Expression syntax . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 286
Composing search expressions . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 287
Searching withwildcards . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 288
Searching for special characters asliterals . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 289
Operators and modifiers . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 290
Modifiers . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 297
Managing Collections. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 298
Maintenance options . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 298
Securing acollection . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 298
Chapter 16 Sending and Receiving E-mail . . . . . . . . 301
Using ColdFusion with Mail Servers. . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 302
Sending E-mail Messages . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 302
Sending SMTP mailwith cfmail . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 303
SampleUses of cfmail . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 304
Sending form-based e-mail . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 304
Sending query-basede-mail . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 304
Sending e-mail to multiple recipients . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 305
Customizing E-mail for MultipleRecipients. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 306
Attaching a MIME file . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 307
Advanced Sending Options. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 308
Sending mail asHTML . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 308
Error logging and undelivered messages . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 308
Receiving E-mail Messages. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 309
Using cfpop . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 309
cfpop query variables . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 310
Handling POP Mail . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 310
Retrieving only messageheaders . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 310
Retrieving an entire message . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 312
Retrieving attachments with messages . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 313
Deleting messages . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 314
Chapter 17 Managing Files on the Server . . . . . . . . . 317
Using cffile . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 318
Uploading Files . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 319
Resolving conflicting filenames . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 321
Controlling the type of fileuploaded . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 321
Setting Fileand Directory Attributes. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 323
Windows . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 323
UNIX . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 323

xii Contents
Evaluating the Resultsof a File Upload . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 324
Moving, Renaming,Copying,and Deleting Server Files. . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 326
Reading, Writing, and Appending to a TextFile . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 327
Reading atext file . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 327
Writing a text file . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 328
Performing Directory Operations . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 329
Returning fileinformation . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 329
Chapter 18 Interacting with Remote Servers . . . . . . 331
Using cfhttp toInteract withthe Web. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 332
Using the cfhttp Get Method . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 332
Creating a Query from a Text File. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 335
Using the cfhttp Post Method. . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 337
Performing File Operations with cfftp . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 341
Caching connections across multiple pages . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 343
Connection actions and attributes . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 344
Moving Complex Data Structures Acrossthe Web with WDDX . . . . . . . . . . .. . 345
An overview of distributed data for theWeb . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 345
WDDX and Web Services . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 346
WDDX components . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 346
Working with application-level data . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 347
Data exchange acrossapplication servers . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 347
How WDDX works . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 348
Converting CFML Data toa JavaScript Object . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 349
Transferring Data from Browser to Server . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 350
Storing Complex Data in a String. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 353
Chapter 19 Application Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 355
ColdFusion Security Features. . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 356
Remote Development Services (RDS) Security. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 356
Overview of User Security . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 357
Using AdvancedSecurity in Application Pages. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 358
Using the cfauthenticate tag. . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 359
Authentication and Authorization Functions. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 360
Using the IsAuthenticated function . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 360
Using the IsAuthorized function . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 360
Catching Security Exceptions. . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 361
Using the cfimpersonate Tag . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 362
Exampleof User Authentication and Authorization . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 363

DevelopingWebApplicationswithColdFusionDRAFT 5/9/01 Path/Filename/Author
xiii
Authenticating users in Application.cfm . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 363
Checkingfor authentication and authorization . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 365
Chapter 20 Using cfobject to Invoke Component Objects .
367
Component Object Overview. . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 368
About COM . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 368
About CORBA . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 368
About Java objects . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 368
Invoking Component Objects . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 369
Using properties . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 369
Calling methods . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 369
Calling nested objects . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 370
Getting Startedwith COM/DCOM . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 370
Requirements for COM . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 370
Registering the object . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 371
Finding the component ProgID and methods . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 371
Creating and Using COM Objects . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 374
Connecting to COM objects . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 374
Settingproperties and invoking methods . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 375
Getting Startedwith CORBA. . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 376
Calling CORBAObjects . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 376
Declaring structures and sequences . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 376
Exception handling . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 378
Calling Java Objects . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 378
Getting Started with Java . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 378
Java and Cold Fusion Data Type Conversions . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 381
Exception Handling . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 382
The class loading mechanism . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 384
A more complex Java example . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 385
Chapter 21 Building Custom CFXAPI Tags . . . . . . . . 389
What Are CFX Tags?. . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 390
Before You Begin Developing CFX Tags in Java. . . . . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 391
SampleJava CFXs . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 391
Settingup your developmentenvironment to develop CFXs in Java . . . 391
Customizing and Configuring Java . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 392
Writing a Java CFX. . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 393
Processing requests . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 393
Loading Java CFX classes . . . . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 395
Automatic class reloading . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 395
Life cycle of Java CFXs . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 396
Calling the CFX from a ColdFusion page . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 396

xiv Contents
ZipBrowser Example. . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 397
Approaches to Debugging Java CFXs . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . 398
Outputting debug information . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . 398
Using thedebugging classes . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 399
Developing CFX Tags in C++. .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 401
SampleC++ CFXs . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 401
Settingup your C++ development environment . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 401
Using theTag Wizard to create CFXs in C++ . . . . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 401
Compiling C++ CFXs . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . 402
Implementing C++ CFX tags . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 402
Debugging C++ CFXs . . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . 402
Registering CFXs . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 404
Distributing CFX Tags. . . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . .. . . . . . .. . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . .. . . . . 405
Index . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 407

About This Book
Developing ColdFusion Applications describes the process of developing Web
applications using ColdFusion. In the first eight chapters, you canfollow the
instructions presented to learn how to create basicColdFusion applications. Then,
chapters ninethrough 19 cover various topics of interest in enhancing your
applications. Finally, chapters 20 through 23 explain how to extend ColdFusion’s
capabilities.
Because of the power and flexibility of ColdFusion, you can create many different
types of Web applications of varying complexity. As you become more familiar with
the material presented in this manual, and begin to develop your own applications,
you will want to refer to the CFML Reference for details about various tags and
functions.
Contents
•Intended Audience................................................................................................... xvi
•New Features............................................................................................................ xvi
•Developer Resources...............................................................................................xvii
•About ColdFusion Documentation ......................................................................xviii
•Getting Answers .........................................................................................................xx
•Contacting Macromedia............................................................................................xx

xvi About This Book
Intended Audience
Developing ColdFusion Applications is intended for Web application programmers
who are learning ColdFusion orwish to extended their ColdFusion programming
knowledge. It provides a solid grouding in the tools that ColdFusion provides to
develop Web applications. The initial chaptersprovide e instructions for creating a
basic ColdFusion application and are intended for those who are new to ColdFusion.
Later chapters cover more specific features in greater detail and are intended for
both new ColdFusion programmers and for those who are looking to extend existing
skill.
New Features
The following table lists the new features in ColdFusion 5:
Benefit Feature Description
Breakthrough
productivity User-defined functions Create reusable functions to accelerate development.
Query of queries Easily integrate data from
heterogeneous sources by
merging and querying data in
memory using standard SQL.
Server analysis and
troublshooting Quickly detect and diagnose
server errors with built-in server
reporting and the new Log File
Analyzer.
Powerful
business
intelligence
capabilities
Charting engine Create professional-quality charts
and graphs from queried data
without leaving the ColdFusion
environment.
Enhanced Verity K2 full-text
search Index and search up to 250,000
documents and enjoy greater
performance.
Reporting interface for
Crystal Reports 8.0 Create professional-quality
tabular reports from queried data
and applications.

Developer Resources xvii
Developer Resources
Macromedia, Inc. is committed to setting the standard for customer support in
developer education, technical support, and professional services. The Web siteis
Enhanced
performance Core engine tuning Take advantage of dramatically
improved server performance and
reduced memory usage to deliver
faster, more scalable applications.
Incremental page delivery Improve response time by
delivering page output to users as
it is built.
Wire protocol database
drivers Deliver high-performance ODBC connectivity using new drivers.
Easy
managment Application deployment
services Effortlessly and reliably deploy,
archive, or restore entire
applications using ColdFusion
archive files.
Enhanced application
monitoring Keep track of server performance and availability with customizable
alerts and recovery.
SNMP support Monitor ColdFusion applications
from enterprise management
systems.
Expanded
integration Expanded Linux support Deploy on additional Linux
distributions, including SuSE and
Cobalt.
Enhanced hardware load
balancer integration Apply optimized, agent-based
support for hardware load
balancers, including new support
for the Cisco CSS 11000.
Enhanced COM support Experience easier integration with
COM components.
Benefit Feature Description

xviii About This Book
designed to give you quick access to the entire range of online resources,as the
following table describes.
About ColdFusion Documentation
ColdFusion documentation is designed to provide support for the complete
spectrumofparticipants.Theprintand onlineversionsareorganizedtoallow youto
quicklylocatetheinformationthatyouneed.TheColdFusion onlinedocumentation
is provided in HTML and Adobe Acrobat formats.
Resource Description URL
MacromediaWeb
site General information about Macromedia products and services www.macromedia.com/
Information on
ColdFusion Detailed product information on ColdFusion and related topics www.coldfusion.com/products/coldfusion/
Technical
Support Professional support programs that Macromedia offers. www.coldfusion.com/support/
ColdFusion
Support Forum Access to experienced ColdFusion developers through participation in the
Online Forums, where you can post
messages and read replies on many
subjects relating to ColdFusion.
http://forums.coldfusion.com/spectraconf/
Installation
Support Support for installation-related issues for all Macromedia products www.coldfusion.com/support/installation/
Professional
Education Information about classes, on-site training, and online courses offered by
Macromedia
www.coldfusion.com/developer/training.cfm
Developer
Community All the resources that you need to stay on the cutting edge of ColdFusion
development, including online
discussion groups, Knowledge Base,
technical papers and more
www.coldfusion.com/developer/
ColdFusion Dev
Center Development tips, articles, documentation, and white papers www.coldfusion.com/developer/ coldfusionreferencedesk/
Macromedia
Alliance Connection with the growing network of solution providers, application
developers, resellers, and hosting
services creating solutions with
ColdFusion
www.coldfusion.com/partners/

About ColdFusion Documentation xix
Printed and online documentation set
The ColdFusion documentation set consists of the following titles.
Viewing online documentation
All ColdFusion documentation is availableonline inHTML and Adobe Acrobat PDF
formats. To view the HTML documentation,openthefollowing URL on the Web
server running ColdFusion: http://localhost/coldfusion/docs/dochome.htm.
To view and print ColdFusion documentation in Acrobat format, open the following
URL on the Web server running ColdFusion: http://localhost/coldfusion/docs/
AcrobatDocs/index.htm.
Printing ColdFusion documentation
Toreadprinteddocumentation,locatetheAdobeAcrobatPDFfilesinstalledwiththe
product. The PDF files offer excellent print output. You can print an entire book or
individual sections.
Locate the ColdFusion PDF files by opening the following URL on the host system:
http://localhost/coldfusion/docs/AcrobatDocs/index.htm
Book Description
Installing and
Configuring
ColdFusion Server
Describes system installation and basic configuration for
Windows NT, Windows 2000, Solaris, Linux, and HP-UX
Advanced
ColdFusion Server
Administration
Describes how to connect your data sources to the ColdFusion
Server, configure security for your applications, and how to use
ClusterCATS to manage scalability, clustering, and
load-balancing for your site
Developing
ColdFusion
Applications
Describes on how to develop your dynamic Web applications,
including retrieving and updating your data, using structures, and
forms.
CFML Reference The online-only ColdFusion Reference provides descriptions,
syntax, usage, and code examples for all ColdFusion tags,
functions, and variables.
CFML Quick
Reference A brief guide that shows the syntax of ColdFusion tags, functions, and variables
Using ColdFusion
Studio Describes how to use ColdFusion Studio to build, test, and deploy Web content, including using the built-in editor for a
variety of scripting and markup languages

xx About This Book
Getting Answers
Oneofthe best waystosolveparticularprogrammingproblems is totapinto thevast
expertise of the ColdFusion developer communities on the ColdFusion Forums.
Otherdevelopersontheforumcanhelpyoufigureouthowtodojustabout anything
with ColdFusion. The search facility can also help you search messages from the
previous 12 months, allowing you to learn how others have solved a problem that
you might be facing. The Forums is a great resourcefor learning ColdFusion, but it is
also a great place to see the ColdFusion developer community in action.
Contacting Macromedia
Corporate
headquarters Macromedia, Inc.
600 Townsend street
San Francisco, CA 4103
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Web: www.macromedia.com
Technical
support Macromedia offersa rangeof telephone and Web-based
support options. Go to http://www.coldfusion.com/
support/ for a complete description of technical support
services.
You can make postings to the ColdFusion Support Forum
(http://forums.coldfusion.com/DevConf/index.cfm) at
any time.
Sales Toll Free: 888.939.2545
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]
Web: http://commerce.coldfusion.com/purchase/
index.cfm