Why choose ColdFusion over PHP or Any Other Web Language?

The choice of web programming language varies from one developer to another. As they have options to choose from a several web languages, programmers often choose the language that enables them to build dynamic and robust internet application at rapid pace. As a powerful web programming language, ColdFusion is being used widely by enterprises across the world. Adobe has further released ColdFusion 10 with a set of innovative and extended features to meet the latest trends in user choices and web application development.

If you are evaluating different programming languages, it is a good idea to choose the right option according to the nature and specific requirements of the internet application. However, you can always consider using ColdFusion to avail a number of advantages. Also, the programming language is powerful enough to create web pages on the fly using the information and content stored on various databases. Along with building the internet application at a rapid pace, the language will further contribute towards enhancing its performance, scalability and security.

Why Choose ColdFusion over Other Web Programming Languages?

Tag-Based Scripting Language: ColdFusion has evolved as a tag-based web programming language. So it does not required programmers to write longer lines of code, unlike other web programming languages. Instead of writing long code, a developer can simply use tags to add new features and functionality to the website. The feature further makes the scripting language both simple and easy-to-learn. A programmer familiar with HTML can learn ColdFusion without putting any extra time and effort. Also, the scripting language is designed based on Java. So the internet application becomes compatible with the operating systems and web browsers that support Java.

Support for HTML5: The popularity of a website, nowadays, depends on its compatibility with major operating systems and web browser. Also, an internet application must be accessible on both conventional and mobile devices to attract more users. So, programmers often look for easy ways to make the website compatible with major devices and operating systems. The developers use HTML5 to optimize the performance of their web application by suing syntactic tags like < video > and < audio >. The latest version of ColdFusion is designed with full support for HTML5. Some of the features like interactive HTML5 charting, webs sockets, video player and map functionality will allow you to build internet application to meet the latest technological trends.

Enhanced Web Services: Most new internet applications use web services to optimize user experience. So programmers often look for quick and simple ways to build robust web services. Unlike other web programming languages, ColdFusion is updated with support for Representational State Transfer (REST) web services. Also, the language supports all types of HTTP methods including XML serialization and JSON. The feature enables you to publish the ColdFusion Components as a RESTful web service. Adobe has further made it easier to build, publish and access the web services without writing long code. You can simply use the revamped engine that supports both SOAP 1.2 and WSDL 2.0 to optimize the usage of web services.

Content Driven Internet Application: Each user loves internet applications that use the most relevant and updated information. So the enterprises want their websites to be driven by dynamic data. Further, the information, content and files can be stored on several data sources. ColdFusion makes it easier for you to build on the fly webpages using the content stored on a database. You also have option to store several types of data and information as a single piece of content. So when a user types the URL, the webpage is created using dynamic data stored as pieces of content. The feature further enables you to optimize the performance of the website without regular content updates.

The updated version of ColdFusion also comes with a set of language enhancement features that help you in improving the quality and readability of the code. Also, you can optimize coding efficiency using features like CFC Method Chaining. If you are thinking of ColdFusion migration, please do ensure you do thorough research about the migration expertise of software development providers before you hand them the reign.

We provide Coldfusion development services. If you would like to speak to one of our certified coldfusion programmers, please contact us at Mindfire Solutions.

ColdFusion Use on the Rise

ColdFusion is widely used by developers across the word as a powerful web development platform. But the platform was developed in 1995 with some simple features to establish connection between HTML pages and a database. The version 2 of the ColdFusion was released in 1996 with a full scripting language and an IDE. But the latest version of the rapid web development platform, released in 2012, provides application developers with a set of advanced features to easily develop a variety of rich internet applications, along with carrying out enterprise integration.

According to FarBeyondCode.com, in February 2013, Adobe reported, “ColdFusion 10 brought sales and positive feedback to the highest point since 2008. They just had their best quarter at the end of 2012.” The commercial success further encouraged the company to release “a roadmap for versions of the ColdFusion server and the Eclipse IDE, ColdFusion Builder. They project to offer support for security and bug fixes for these new products until around 2020.” The report clearly indicates the growing usage of ColdFusion 10 to meet the needs of web applications developers to build robust application for clients belonging to different industries.

The constant rise in the popularity and usage of ColdFusion was also confirmed by a report published on WebProNews.com. To quote from the report, “Stephen O’Grady over at RedMonk compiled a ranking of programming language popularity based on an interesting set of metrics: StackOverflow questions and GitHub projects. Comparing Stephen’s findings from September 2011 and February 2012 show a significant improvement in ColdFusion’s position.” Also, a number of reports have highlighted the initiatives taken by Adobe to optimize the growth and popularity of ColdFusion.

Key Initiatives Taken by Adobe to Make ColdFusion more Popular

Discussing New Roadmaps
Each company has to collect feedback, suggestions and comments from its clients on the features and functionality of the applications developed by it. Often the interaction with customers also makes it easier for the organization to decide how to boost the performance of its application development framework. Adobe has initiated roadmap discussions to make ColdFusion programming more popular. As per the initiative, the senior leadership from the company will engage in discussions with customers. The feedback and suggestions received from customers will be used in deciding the features and functionality to make the updated version of ColdFusion 10 more powerful.

More Frequent Updates
Each software development company has to impress users by launching updated versions of its products. The updated frameworks also come with a set of advanced features that saves the programmers’ time and efforts while developing rich internet applications. Adobe has implemented a strategy to reduce the release cycles for ColdFusion. So the updated versions of the framework will be released more frequently with a number of advanced features and functionalities. Also, the reduced released cycles will make it easier for Adobe to meet the changing trends in technologies.

Launching ColdFusion on the Cloud
The Cloud-based application development frameworks are popular among developers due to their flexible and convenient features. Many companies have launched the Cloud version of their frameworks to meet the needs of developers. But the Cloud release of ColdFusion on Amazon EC2 was delayed due to some issues between the two companies. So Adobe has resolved the issues with Amazon, and is ready to offer Amazon Machine Image (AMI) for ColdFusion 10 at hourly rates. The Cloud version of ColdFusion 10 will encourage more programmers to avail the advantages of this powerful platform.

Expanding the ColdFusion Community
The popularity of an application development framework often depends on the size of developer community. So Adobe has taken initiative to promote ColdFusion at various community colleges. The initiative aims to educate programmers with a detailed semester curriculum for server side programming concepts using ColdFusion. Also, the program includes quizzes, tests, instructor guides and software to encourage new programmers to use this platform to develop rich web applications. At the same time, both instructors and students also have options to clear their doubts by interacting with a community expert.

Engaging the ColdFusion Users Actively
Adobe has further implemented a program to keep the users actively engaged. It is planning to organize ColdFusion events to keep the interested user groups by working with them in an active way. At the same time, the ColdFusion Business Unit at Adobe is planning to organize a full-fledged ColdFusion conference to encourage the involvement of user community. However, Adobe will work only as the primary organizer, while allowing the maximum involvement of the community in several aspects like content selection. The constant interaction with developers will further make it easier for the company to contribute towards the growth and popularity of this rapid web application development platform.

The initiatives taken by Adobe will encourage both novice and experienced programmers to migrate to ColdFusion. Also, the active participation and involvement of developer community will contribute towards boosting the popularity of this web development platform.

We provide coldfusion application development services. If you would like to discuss with an expert coldfusion developer from our team, please get in touch with us at Mindfire Solutions.