Benefits of Migrating Application to Latest ColdFusion Version

When it comes to migrating applications to the latest and higher versions of ColdFusion, the process is quite quick as well as simple. Still, there are quite a number of businesses, which tend to continue with the outdated and older versions. Not updating CF to higher version may lead to lesser work. Yet, working with the outdated versions will mean that there are scopes of vulnerabilities and the site(s) getting exposed to hackers and competitors.

Furthermore, updating to newer versions will improve the platform’s overall performance speed, plug in all the potential security holes, and help in efficient coding. It will provide the customers and consumers the option of enjoying stable applications through a number of access points.

Hence, it is wiser to migrate to the latest versions as soon as they are introduced. However, let us discuss the issue in further details.

There is a wide range of web applications available. While on one hand that has helped the end users, on the other, it has increased security risk for everyone. Particularly with the instances of hacking on a steady rise, platforms with the older versions of CF are all exposed to the hackers. Hence, upgrading to the higher version will plug this loophole. For instance, CF version 10 comes up with a unique feature that has become its key coding element, and is excellent in ensuring security of the platform. The two most important changes that are noticeable in this higher CF version are Secure Profiles and the Hot Fix Notifications. Thus, when we talk about the higher versions of ColdFusion, security is the biggest determinant.

Again, another significant benefit of upgrading is the availability of options like hot fix installer and notification. This option helps the users to provide notifications to the administrator whenever any hot fix is required to be incorporated. This can be done by enlisting all the regular updates that are readily available in Adobe. While in the earlier version, users could not be awarded hot fixes without pulling up the information; with the new version this can be done without searching the websites or determining the fixes that need to be installed. This can be a significant time saver, especially when the scans are run regularly.

Following are some of the other benefits of migrating

HTML5 WebSockets

The higher versions of CF, namely version 10 provides supportWebSocket protocol on the server. Thus, when it comes to transferring data to the end clients from the server, the procedure becomes much simpler. Again, this feature can also be used for developing a wide spectrum of real time web based application, which gives end user experience a real shot in the arm, more so with the use of dynamic data.

HTML5 Charting

Furthermore, when it comes to searching a web application based platform with a support for interactive client-end charts, upgrading to the higher versions of CF is the best available option. The higher versions come up with support for charts that are based on Canvas, Further, Flash, SVG. This helps to improve the performance of the web application, mainly through the process of incorporation of interactive charts. Furthermore, the CFCHART tag can also be used with ease for creating and integrating all these interactive charts. Again, it also becomes possible to customize them, with the help of JSON objects.

Migration to the higher version of ColdFusion also helps in enjoying revamped and improved web services. Most of the web applications use RESTful web-based services instead of relying on HTTP or HTTPS. With the migration to the latest CF version, it becomes easier to add attributes to the components.

Migration also helps in enhanced settings of cache. The way a particular web application caches the user data, directly affects its performance. With the version of CF getting higher, the cache setting also makes specific data creation much easier.

Migration to higher version of ColdFusion also allows the developers in indexing databases in more efficient as well as easier way. Also, the developers can take the advantage of Data Import Handler support that the higher version provides. To get maximum benefits of ColdFusion development, you may consider hiring services of a custom ColdFusion development company.

We provide ColdFusion web application development services. If you would like to discuss with a senior ColdFusion developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

Best Practices for ColdFusion programming

ColdFusion is one of the most adopted commercial platforms for web application development, especially when developers want to conduct everything rapidly as well as efficiently. But while developing applications on this platform it would help if some specific practices are followed so that the best results can be achieved with the minimum efforts.

Naming conventions- While naming, care has to be taken. Naming of local variables, arguments, methods as well as components must be done with caution; use good names as choosing non qualified or random names may turn out to be disastrous. Say no to cryptic naming strategies or abbreviations. In fact, abbreviations should be avoided altogether. If acronyms cannot be avoided then they should be capitalized. In case of package names, they must be in lowercase letters and totally unique. For interface/class/component names, they should be nouns since most likely objects or things are being represented by them. The writing should be in camel case and each word’s first letter must be capitalized. If possible, the letter I should begin the interfaces.

Compare two strings by using compareNoCase- True string comparison is denoted through the usage of compareNoCase. However, unless it is guaranteed that the data does not contain leading 0, it should not be used, when compared to IS NOT, using this feature is better as well as faster.

Separating business from play- This might be a very important thing once you start working with designers. It must be remembered that your application has to be passed off to some other developer and a designer and it is important that while working they do not over write the codes of each other. If that is achieved then it is a job well done. Creation of functions on display pages or running of inline queries should be avoided.

More and more comments- Under commented works may be not a very promising aspect. It is not that each line should be commented but including some comments make it very easy to read according to the functions and variable names.

Frameworks- When we include frameworks, it essentially means that the code must be organized into methods which will make it easy for you as well your colleague to work on the project; it will help you find exactly what is being searched for. It is a good idea to at least learn a simple framework which has great documentation.

Defaults should be set only once- This statement is almost like a rule for application.cfm. There are many developers who set variables throughout the application like datasources or titles in it. But often they commit a mistake of not checking whether the variables are defined or not. This results in the running of same code all over again every time. A check must be used in this respect to find out about the setting of the variables. If everything is good then they should not be bothered. This will result in slightly faster movement of the application.

Compulsory use of OnRequestEnd.cfm and Application.cfm- This is a great practise even if the case does not demand the usage of these files. This is because during each request, they will be hunted for by ColdFusion. You will be speeding up the page-processing time if you include some empty files with those names in the site folder.

Validating client data in server-side - Despite data validation with JavaScript, validation of data should also be done server-side. In fact, when possible, checking of variables must be done for type and this should again be verified.

These are only some of the practices that must be followed for a better result in ColdFusion programming. But the main things to remember is that when programming, try to access up to date open source libraries as well as existing applications so that there is less need for developing each and everything from scratch. Also try to release your open source applications frequently so that you can benefit others like others have benefitted you. To get maximum benefits of ColdFusion, you may consider hiring services of a ColdFusion web application development company.

We provide ColdFusion development services. If you would like to talk to one of our expert ColdFusion developers, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.

How has ColdFusion development revolutionized the web app world?

The rapid scripting environment server called ColdFusion can be said to be the best thing to have happened in the world of dynamic web applications creation. The scripting language that it uses known as CFML or ColdFusion Markup Language can be learnt easily and is tag-based with enterprise data connectivity as well as built-in charting and search capabilities. It has helped developers across the world to deploy as well as build dynamic websites, commerce sites, self-service applications, content publishing systems, etc. The framework has a multitude of benefits which has made it indispensible for most developers and a framework to be reckoned with in the web app development world. The features that have led to the web app world being revolutionized are mentioned here.

CFML- CFML or ColdFusion Markup Language is tag-based, quite similar to HTML. CFML allows you to enhance normal HTML files through high-level formatting options, conditional operators, database commands, etc which produce rapid as well as easily maintainable web applications. There are other functions as well like creating Adobe Flash applications which entirely consist of CFML as well as Flash elements. Web services can also be created to be used by other apps. Other features are JSON enhancements, Member Functions support along with full CFSCRIPT support.

Scripting environment- A competent development model is provided by the scripting environment for web apps. CFML, which encapsulates many low-level facts of web programming in functions as well as high-level tags, is the main thing that makes the environment function.

CFScript along with CFML functions- There are some built-in functions to perform several kinds of roles that include data management, system functions as well as string manipulation. CFScript is the scripting language that is in-built and allows the writing of code in a way which is familiar to JavaScript writers as well as programmers.

Tags- The tags resemble HTML in the starting as well as the ending with each tag enclosed within angle brackets. A forward slash precedes every ending tag with cf preceding all tag names. An abstraction layer provided by it helps increase productivity. It is also quite flexible and powerful, allowing ColdFusion to build apps integrating databases, files, mail servers, legacy systems, objects, components along with FTP servers. Programming constructs like loop structures and conditional processing are provided by the tags along with services like graphing, charting, access to protocols like SMTP/POP, HTTP, FTP, etc, full text search along with so much more.

Development tools- ColdFusion applications can be efficiently developed by Dreamweaver which has several features simplifying as well as enhancing the development; there are tools to debug CFML.

Extensions- You can also create UDFs or user-defined functions or custom tags; C++, COM along with Java components can be integrated as well. CFCs can be created to encapsulate related properties along with functions to provide consistent access interface.

Security- There is a mechanism built-in so that external forces cannot access Administrator portal or any of its components. There are additional functions that prevent XSS, allowing concurrent logins or access through CFLOGIN. Mail encryption is also supported through CFMAIL. User input can be sanitized through new functions so that servers become more secure against cross-site scripting as well as click-jacking. Any data can be more securely published over SSL or Secure Socket Layer.

Efficient working with PDF- Full access is provided to DDX or Document Description XML which allows a lot more actions with PDFs like adding bookmarks, comments, footers, headers, file attachments, etc. The PDF’s appearance can be customized through setting of page size, rotation as well as margins. Electronic signatures also make the files more secure.

Overall the digital experiences provided by the platform have affected the world quite a bit. This application server is multi-tasking allowing developers to juggle many roles. So if you get a single place where you can conduct speedy development, deployment, testing as well debugging then what is the need to look for something else. On top of that Adobe is constantly upgrading ColdFusion and adding new features so that it can accommodate more technicalities; the constant upgrades equip it to become more relevant with the evolving times as well as the web app development world. To get maximum benefits of ColdFusion, you may consider hiring services of a ColdFusion development company.

We provide ColdFusion web application development services. If you would like to discuss with a certified ColdFusion web developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.