Why Start-Ups Should Go with ColdFusion?

Normally, small businesses and startups prefer using open source technologies to reduce the development cost of web and mobile apps. But a number of reports have highlighted the rapidly growing popularity of Adobe ColdFusion among startups, despite being a commercial web application development framework. Adobe further frequently updates ColdFusion application server to provide a single platform for creating both web and mobile applications. There are also a number of reasons why small companies and startups should go with the most recent version of ColdFusion.

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.

What You Need To Know About CFHTTP, SSL and SNI?

Adobe has released ColdFusion 10 with a set of innovative features to complement the current trends in rapid web application development. The latest version of the rapid web application development framework comes with language, security and HTML5 enhancements. At the same time, it also supports some of the advanced communication protocols to optimize the user experience. ColdFusion supports some of the widely used technologies like CFHTTP (ColdFusion HTTP), Secure Socket Layer (SSL), and Server Name Indication (SNI). These technologies make it easier for programmers to optimize the performance, scalability and security of websites without writing lengthy code.

CFHTTP

For improving user experience, coldfusion application development teams often design web applications with features to access an external web page, and display the content as part of its own website. The functionality becomes much simpler and easier through the CFHTTP tag provided by ColdFusion. The tag will be used initially to do an HTTP call. Once the connection is established, the content of the external web page will be stored in cfhttp.filecontent which is a string variable. As a string can be manipulated flexibly, the content can be displayed as part of the website without putting any extra effort. The CFHTTP tag is being used by developers to provide updated and relevant information to users related to weather, news and stock prices collected from third-party websites. Along with allowing developers to write less code, the ColdFusion tag further enables them to optimize user experience by providing the latest information collected from reliable sources.

SSL

A constant increase is noted in the number of people carrying out online financial transactions. However, each user wants to make payment through a web application only when he is sure that his sensitive financial information will remain secure. As the users have to submit details of their credit card, PayPal account or net banking, it has becomes essential for developers to use advanced encryption and security technologies. ColdFusion is designed with support for Secure Socket Layer (SSL). The standard security technology is used widely by developers to establish an encrypted link between the client and server. The technology can be used to encrypt the connection between a mail server and a mail client, or web server and a web browser. Also, SSL, as a security protocol, describes what algorithm needs to be used to encrypt the links and information during transmission. When a website is designed with SSL, it can convince users that their sensitive financial information will not be used for identity thefts and similar frauds.

SNI

While developing a website, no developer can predict how many users will access it at a time. So enterprises look for effective ways to optimize the performance and scalability of their websites. ColdFusion is also designed with Server Name Indication (SNI) protocol support. As an extension to Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, SNI decides the hostname the client is trying to access at the beginning of the communication. The protocol further makes it smoother for the web server to generate and issue multiple certifications on a single IP address and port number. Thus, multiple websites need not use a single certificate while several websites are being served from a single IP address. However, the SNI protocol, at present, is not supported by all web browsers. The users will receive certificate warning if they are using a web browser that does not support the SNI protocol.

Adobe is regularly updating ColdFusion to meet the latest trends in rapid web application development. The support for advanced protocols and technologies makes it easier for developers to optimize the performance, scalability and security of their web applications without putting any extra effort. ColdFusion 10 comes with both caching and language enhancements to enable programmers to build robust websites, web applications and web services at a rapid pace.

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

Top 10 Benefits of Using ColdFusion

A commercial rapid web application development platform, ColdFusion has several advantages and is preferred for its ability to deliver high performance in any language. ColdFusion fits perfectly well into the prominent server systems. Therefore, websites using this platform can be integrated into varying databases.

Let us look into the primary benefits of ColdFusion:

1. Allows for Secure Applications- ColdFusion enables developers to ensure additional security of the servers thereby preventing them from getting affected by cross-site scripting (XSS) or cross-site requests forgery (CSRF). This is done by means of sanitizing user input by using built- in functions. The enhanced log-in mechanisms increase the authenticity of the applications. The new secure profile allows developers to enable the default security settings across the server. The RSA BSAFE Crypto-J libraries provide FIPS 140a certified strong encryption.

2. Offers the Most Advanced HTML5 WebSockets and Charts- ColdFusion accompanies an excellent built-in support for HTML5, as a result of which, developers can create a range of applications including E-commerce, Web-based games, online podcasts, online collaboration, social networking, etc. The built-in support for the HTML5 WebSockets enables developers to publish data to a number of clients as well as carry out a point-to-point data push with real-time response from the servers. Customized charts pave the way for a much better user experience.

3. Enhances the Level of Performance- The built-in Apache Tomcat application that comes with the ColdFusion makes it easy for web developers to take advantage of the support of the developer community and engage in using the latest web standards as well as regular security updates. Creation of multiple cache regions becomes possible too.

4. Enables Easy Building of Mobile Applications- The ColdFusion component can be published as a Representational State Transfer Web service. There is the built-in support for various HTTP methods including that of serialization and de-serialization of JSON and XML. While the out-of-the-box REST support allows easy building of interfaces for mobile applications, the WebSockets strengthens bidirectional communication.

5. Ensures Better Task Management- The platform enables developers to engage in a more organized as well as flexible management of tasks by virtue of event handling, application- specific tasks, chaining and grouping.

6. Leads to Hassle-Free Publishing of WSDL-Based Web Services- ColdFusion incorporates support for SOAP 1.2 and WSDL 2.0 specification. The support through AXIS2 engine and a document literal wrapped style allows developers to create and publish WSDL- based web services without troubles.

7. Improves Productivity- ColdFusion includes enhanced scripting support, which fastens the process of building full-fledged applications. The language enhancements, on the other hand, improve readability and code quality. A much better control and flexibility is facilitated by closures.

8. Creates Scalable Applications- ColdFusion allows developers to create quantifiable applications. This is possible through creation and management of multiple server instances in a virtualized environment. With ColdFusion, developers have the opportunity to deploy it as WAR or EAR from within the Java EE application servers.

9. Leads to Engaging Websites- Considering that the websites, today, act as gateways to the success of the business enterprises, one of the most prominent benefits of ColdFusion is that it helps developers to create engaging websites that promise customized functionality.

10. Comes in Three Advanced Editions- ColdFusion appears in three latest editions, each offering specific advantages for developers. The Enterprise Edition improves performance and helps in delivering multiple websites as well as applications on multiple servers or J2EE application server installations. The ColdFusion 10 Standard is an easily manageable configuration while the ColdFusion 10 Developer Edition is a fully- featured server for development use only.

The benefits which can be harnessed from coldfusion application development are many. All of these, combined together, enable brands and business across all industries gain significant reputation. ColdFusion is the brand new technological definition of basic customer service. The best part of this application development platform is that it simplifies the most complex issues like searching, tracking or loading of data from different sources.

We provide Coldfusion development services. If you would like to know more about the expertise of our expert coldfusion programmers, please visit Mindfire Solutions.

Adobe ColdFusion Roadmap: Tracking the Future Directions

Adobe recently came up with a development roadmap for ColdFusion highlighting the two prime upcoming releases of the ColdFusion server, code named “Splendor” and “Dazzle”. Through these new releases, Adobe plans to render increased support for analytics, social media, mobile applications, video, responsive content across multiples screens, along with a host of other features. These new features are sure to enable organizations to streamline their work with the aid of custom solutions.

Let us have a look at some of the latest versions of ColdFusion which will give us a fair idea of the current status of the software and where it is heading in the future. This will for sure help you decide if you want to do the ColdFusion migration now or later.

A look at the ColdFusion Servers

Adobe has charted out a detailed outline of Dazzle and Splendor, the two anticipated releases of the ColdFusion server. In the meantime, the team continued working on some other aspects. For instance, support for the much talked about Amazon cloud through the Splendor AMI was launched early in 2013, rendering users with a quick and simplified approach for the deployment of ColdFusion applications within the Amazon cloud.

Splendor: The prime thematic aspects of enhancements for Splendor incorporate taking ColdFusion into the age of social application support and mobile application development. Special focus is laid on additional security aspects, drawing upon the considerable work done in the field of security for release 10 and acquiring its priorities from the OWASP (Open Web Application Security Project) Top 10 Project. Enhanced deployment and manageability coupled with new and revamped PDF assimilation functionality have also been planned. In short the version of ColdFusion server codenamed “Splendor” involves the following:

• Mobile Application Development that is mobile streamlined
• Novel PDF functionalities
• Empowering enterprises to go for easy integration of Social Media Streams
• Enhanced deployment and installation experience
• Language Improvement
• Pluggable Framework

Dazzle: So far as the dazzle release is concerned, extension of the mobile platform to render support to the multi-screen content and capabilities are planned. Dazzle is also anticipated to give Adobe the required push within the digital marketing domain through introduction of more intense social, mobile and web analytics functionality. The Dazzle release is expected to offer an enterprise video portal having the potential to be customized, along with capabilities that will empower ColdFusion to operate within cloud environments in key cloud platforms. Lastly, the enhancements are expected to be accompanied by a serious focus on the security aspects, moving ahead with the work that is done with splendor and emphasizing on mobile security with respect to the Mobile Security Project of OWASP. So, with Dazzle, we have the following:

• Enterprise mobility ensuring scalability, performance and multiple-platform support
• Support for content that is multi-screen and responsive
• Social Mobile and Web analytics for digital marketing
• Enterprise Video Portal that can be tailored

An Insight into the ColdFusion Builders With regard to ColdFusion Builders, two releases coinciding with the Servers are on the cards. Key work areas have also been identified for the latest releases of ColdFusion Builder.

Thunder: The release of Thunder is anticipated to play a major role in the stepwise developmental workflow in case of mobile application development and also offer a professional experience in JavaScript authoring. New developers would constitute the prime focus area along with new workflows underlining a “getting started” scenario. On the whole, Thunder brings with it the following:

• Step-by-step workflow for mobile application development
• An enhanced getting started experience
• Professional support for JavaScript development

Blizzard: The ColdFusion Builder, code-named Blizzard, would most probably be released simultaneous to the Dazzle server release, featuring multi-screen one click support and deployment support corresponding to Ops/Dev integration trends, as well as enhanced debug and test workflows. In short, we get,

• Multi-screen support with a single click
• Convenient application deployment
• High quality, improved debug and test workflows

Along with the server and builder releases, ColdFusion also brings in some cloud offerings. All of these taken together indeed spell a bright future for Adobe ColdFusion with increased performance, support and security.

We provide coldfusion web 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.