ColdFusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Steps [Paperback]

Barry Moore (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 12, 2002

ColdFusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Steps has 10 Steps to converting a static site to a dynamic site using ColdFusion MX, with reusable real-world examples and exercises make this book easy to use and the concepts easy to incorporate. This book sorts through the technical detail to present professional users with just the information they need to get started. After mastering the basics in this book, readers will be ready to advanced to the Inside ColdFusion MX book.

ColdFusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Steps is a gentle introduction to the world of dynamic web publishing using ColdFusion MX. It is aimed at the professional web developer who is new to ColdFusion and is designed to highlight the simplicity, flexibility, and speed ColdFusion has to offer over other dynamic technologies. The main use is to upgrade or "makeover" an existing static, manually updated web site into a dynamic, data-driven site. Beginning with a case study of the site and how it can be improved using ColdFusion, the book progresses through 10 stages of upgrade by giving theory, examples, and hands on instruction for creating a dynamic site using such features as a data-driven catalog, search page, and shopping cart.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

Transitioning from a static HTML site to a dynamic site is a daunting task. You have to learn to use a new tool -- and often don't have the time to pour over the huge reference volumes that have been created. Enter Barry Moore and ColdFusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Steps!

Barry is a Certified Advanced ColdFusion Developer who is also a fantastic teacher. He knows where you may begin to struggle and helps you over the hump. Check out his 10 steps. You'll have a dynamic site up and running in no time!

In order to provide you with the ColdFusion resources you want and need, it's important to me to hear what you think about this book and what you'd like to see in future offerings. Please share your thoughts by emailing me at [e-mail]

Linda Bump Sr. Acquisitions Editor

From the Back Cover

ColdFusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Steps has 10 Steps to converting a static site to a dynamic site using ColdFusion MX, with reusable real-world examples and exercises make this book easy to use and the concepts easy to incorporate. This book sorts through the technical detail to present professional users with just the information they need to get started. After mastering the basics in this book, readers will be ready to advanced to the Inside ColdFusion MX book.

ColdFusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Steps is a gentle introduction to the world of dynamic web publishing using ColdFusion MX. It is aimed at the professional web developer who is new to ColdFusion and is designed to highlight the simplicity, flexibility, and speed ColdFusion has to offer over other dynamic technologies. The main use is to upgrade or "makeover" an existing static, manually updated web site into a dynamic, data-driven site. Beginning with a case study of the site and how it can be improved using ColdFusion, the book progresses through 10 stages of upgrade by giving theory, examples, and hands on instruction for creating a dynamic site using such features as a data-driven catalog, search page, and shopping cart.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: New Riders Press; 1 edition (August 12, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0735712964
• ISBN-13: 978-0735712966
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 7.1 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,525,223 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 10 Steps Should be 10 EASY Steps, August 25, 2002

By 

Roughy "roughy" (West Chicago, IL United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ColdFusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Steps (Paperback)

As a reviewer of books, I find myself ensconsed in a lot of material that is dry, difficult to follow and that finds me jumping from section to section quickly and out of order.

10 Steps is an easy read, easy to follow and has found me working with ColdFusionMX faster than I could have imagined. I've long been a part of the Flash community and there is no easy way to explain how Macromedia has worked to pull all of their products together.

If you're hoping to use any of the MX tools in the future, this certainly isn't a bad place to start. Even better are the real-life examples that allow you to expand to your own needs and to give you a further understanding of the tool.

I've monkeyed around with .ASP for years and have never felt comfortable developing in the tool, but do feel very well-versed in HTML.

Barry Moore's writing style and examples have caught me up to speed in literally no time at all.

Amaze yourself with what can be accomplished with ColdFusionMX and 10 Steps!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Introduction to ColdFusion, September 19, 2002

By 

Sarah Barry (Brisbane, Queensland, Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ColdFusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Steps (Paperback)

Barry Moore's book "Cold Fusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Easy Steps" is an excellent introduction to Cold Fusion. The 10 steps are: an overview of how CFML (Cold Fusion Markup Language) works; variables; databases and SQL queries; conditional program flow; forms; database manipulation; email; the Cold Fusion application framework; user security; and lists, arrays, and structures.

There is no attempt to deal with any HTML authoring, it is assumed that the reader will already know how to code and develop static web pages. The book progresses in logical steps as an already existing site is "madeover" into a dynamic database powered site.

The book is treated as a companion to material presented and available on [internet site]. This site contains links and other supporting material for users and readers of the book; and it also contains a set of files that are to be used in the practical exercises in the book.

Each step or chapter introduces the problem to be addressed. The issues are dealt with in a clear and straightforward style with examples of code and resulting web page. While CFML is deceptively easy, there are a few tips and tricks that need to be known and if not applied can trip many a new developer. These are handled clearly in sidebars or notes that are obvious and easy to refer back to.

At the conclusion of each chapter, the lessons learnt are applied to the original site. Using the files downloaded from [internet site] the user is directed to make various changes. The editing directions are provided in free form; but backed up by a full listing of what the final page should look like. I did found these sections took time and care and I did need the full code listing to assist in the process.

This aspect of the book has been handled in a way to accommodate users whether they complete the exercises or not. In the downloaded files users get: the original site; snippets of files to edit; final edited files; and the final madeover site. This means that if you do not wish to do the exercises, you can simply choose to test the new site; examine the Cold Fusion pages and pull the CFML code to pieces. If you have difficulties completing the exercises, the solutions are available for you.

The book is an introductory book for Cold Fusion and concentrates on the Cold Fusion development framework. The chapter on user security is based on the way user security is handled in Cold Fusion MX and users must refer to the web site for changes to the text. The book was based on a beta version of Cold Fusion MX and there are alterations for the coding for this chapter. Many of the new features for Cold Fusion MX are left to the end of the book and only briefly explained as they are complex and powerful and beyond the scope of this book and its purpose. Difficulties in installing Cold Fusion and configuring the server are also provided at the end of the book and steps to change settings explained there.

The language of the book is clear and concise. There is an engagement and directness in the style that makes the material easy to read, and understand. I would recommend this book as a first introduction to Cold Fusion as it is simple yet comprehensive in the material it covers. I particularly liked the chapter on the application framework as that provides an excellent treatment on what is quite a complex and baffling area for many new developers. With the help of the links in the book and the web site; there is enough support to whet the appetite and direct users who wish to learn more about the power and versatility of Cold Fusion MX.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extremely useful., October 5, 2002

By 

Colm Gallagher (Dublin, Ireland) - See all my reviews

This review is from: ColdFusion MX: From Static to Dynamic in 10 Steps (Paperback)

Written in an easy to read style, this book is an excellent choice for anyone wanting to dynamicise their website using Coldfusion. The book is hands-on, choc-a-bloc full of practical examples and useful tips.