Programming ColdFusion MX

ColdFusion has enjoyed widespread use among developers as a powerful, easy-to-learn platform for creating and deploying dynamic Web applications. ColdFusion's simple, tag-based language makes it easy to handle basic tasks, like processing form data and querying databases, but the language is also powerful enough to deliver highly scalable, robust applications. And now that Macromedia has integrated ColdFusion into its MX family of technologies, ColdFusion is capable of interacting with Flash MX applications, which opens up even more possibilities. This new edition documents new techniques for using ColdFusion MX to develop and serve dynamic web page content. This exhaustive guide covers everything from the basics to advanced topics, with numerous examples that you can use for your own applications. Contents include: Sharing application data using the Web application framework and shared scope variables; accessing databases, maintaining database records, and advanced database techniques such as drill-down queries, query caching, and query of queries; integrating applications with ColdFusion MX's new security framework; interacting with other data sources, including LDAP directories, email servers, and other web servers; extending ColdFusion with user-defined functions (UDFs), custom tags, and ColdFusion Components (CFCs); advanced topics such as working with XML, consuming and producing Web services, and integrating ColdFusion with Flash via Flash Remoting; and reference material for all the tags and functions that comprise CFML, the ColdFusion Markup Language. The book covers ColdFusion MX, the latest release of ColdFusion, and is packed with advanced strategies, insider hints, tips, and tricks for creating effective web applications. If you are a ColdFusion developer, you need this book to help you make the most out of ColdFusion MX.

Table of Contents:
1. Introducing ColdFusion What Is ColdFusion?ColdFusion Architecture Getting Started with ColdFusion 2. ColdFusion Basics Getting Started Datatypes Variables Expressions Writing Output Conditional Processing LoopingIncluding Other Templates 3. Passing Data Between Templates Passing Parameters Via URL Passing Data Using Forms Dealing with Nonexistent Parameters 4. Database Basics Configuring Data Sources Introducing cfquery A Quick SQL Primer Retrieving and Displaying Data Sorting Query Results Grouping Output Looping Over a Query Result Set Formatting Techniques 5. Maintaining Database Records Inserting RecordsUpdating Existing Records Deleting Records 6. Complex Datatypes Lists Arrays Structures Query Objects 7. Maintaining State Setting Up the Web Application Framework Using Shared Scope Variables Br owser Redirection Portal Example 8. Security Security Basics Implementing Security from Scratch Taking Advantage of ColdFusion MX's New Security Framework 9. Error and Exception Handling Basic Exception Handling Custom Exception Handling Rethrowing Exceptions Error Handling Within the Web-Application Framework Server-Wide Error Handling 10. Dynamic Form Controls Combining HTML and CFML Form Controls Basic Input Controls Textual Input A Selection Control SlidersGrids Trees Preserving Input Custom Controls 11. Advanced Database Techniques Display TechniquesDrilldown Queries Query Caching Advanced SQL Query of Queries Calling Stored Procedures Transaction Processing 12. Manipulating Files and Directories Working with Directories Dealing with Files Performing FTP Operations Executing Command-Line Programs 13. Working with Email Sending Email Dealing with Undeliverable Email Retrieving MessagesBuilding a Web-Based Email Client 14. Interacting with Other Web Servers Using HTTP Retrieving Information Parsing Data Generating Static HTML Pages Posting Information cfhttp Considerations 15. Interfacing with LDAP-Enabled Directories LDAP Basics Querying an LDAP Directory Modifying LDAP Entries Modifying the Distinguished Name 16. Working with the Verity Search Interface Creating Collections Populating Collections Searching Collections The Verity Search Language Updating Collections Maintaining Collections Advanced Techniques 17. Graphing and Charting Creating a Simple Graph Working with Dates Charting Dynamic Data Charting Multiple Data Series Drilling Down on Graph Data Saving Charts to a Variable Working with the Chart Cache 18. Regular Expressions in ColdFusion Regular-Expre ssion Syntax Finding Strings Replacing Strings Back references Useful Regular Expressions Regular Expression Tester 19. Scripting Scripting Syntax Writing Output Flow Control and Looping Error and Exception Handling 20. User-Defined Functions UDF Basics Calling User-Defined Functions Advanced Topics Function Libraries Script-Based UDFs 21. Creating Custom Tags Getting Started Calling Custom Tags (Part Contents).