Mastering ColdFusion 4.5 [Paperback]

Arman Danesh (Author), Kristin Motlagh (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0782127738 | ISBN-13: 978-0782127737 | Publication Date: May 5, 2000

This book is an update to the best-selling Mastering ColdFusion 4. ColdFusion has become the tool of choice for developers integrating back-end databases with complex, interactive Web sites. This software category is expected to have explosive growth in the next two years. The book offers comprehensive treatment of ColdFusion, including new features such as the updated visual tools and Java/XML support. The CD has evaluation versions of the software, including the new Linux version, plus sample code and custom tags you can use in your own work.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Allaire's ColdFusion is one of the most robust server-side scripting solutions for Web developers, offering the notable advantage of cross-platform deployment. Mastering ColdFusion 4.5 is a comprehensive exploration of this powerful product that makes migration to the language quick and first exposure to server-scripting easy to follow.

With more than 1000 pages, this book provides a step-by-step education in ColdFusion and plenty of examples for hands-on learning. The first chapters immediately give the reader a feel for how ColdFusion templates interact with HTML. Then the text steps back to begin presenting more details systematically. One of ColdFusion's key features--database interaction with the CFQUERY tag and SQL--is addressed early on with simple examples.

Once it hooks the reader on the power of ColdFusion, the book illustrates the product's flexibility in dealing with e-mail, FTP, LDAP servers, and custom tags. It goes on to cover the ColdFusion Studio integrated-development environment--though not in depth. The real focus of this book is how the ColdFusion language works.

Developers familiar with other scripting environments such as Microsoft Active Server Pages will immediately feel at home with the subject matter and quickly move through this hefty book. Those with only HTML knowledge will find all the details they need to learn about server-side scripting and may only need a supplemental study of SQL.

An enclosed CD-ROM includes evaluation copies of ColdFusion Application Server 4.5 and ColdFusion Studio, as well as all of the code used in the book. This title offers definitive coverage of ColdFusion and is likely the only book you'll need on the subject. --Stephen W. Plain

Topics covered: ColdFusion templates, functions, variables, flow control, SQL queries, forms/form validation, ColdFusion Web Application Framework, e-mail, FTP, LDAP, search-engine implementation, custom tags, and ColdFusion Administrator.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1008 pages
• Publisher: Sybex Inc (May 5, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782127738
• ISBN-13: 978-0782127737
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 7.6 x 2.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.9 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,942,311 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

29 of 31 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This book is simply number one, May 18, 2000

By 

Paulo C. Rios Jr. (Europe) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mastering ColdFusion 4.5 (Paperback)

Ben's books tie with this one for #1. ColdFusion can not ask for more. The chapter on XML is weak, but everything else shines greatly. Even hard-core CF experts will find some new insights and answers here. Beginners will be delighted. The style and the contents are unbeatable.

25 of 28 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Useful, but not that great, July 13, 2000

By 

Doug Belkofer - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mastering ColdFusion 4.5 (Paperback)

I've gotten through the first six chapters of this book so far, and while I have found it relatively useful, I've been disappointed by the number of incorrect references and other errors. The CD that comes with the book has all the code from the book, but it's not always correct, sometimes a line or two is missing. An example of an incorrect reference is can be found on page 93, where it is discussing functions, and it says:

The very nature of ColdFusion really precludes the need for developers to create their own functions. Instead, this ability can be achieved through the use of custom tags (see Chapter 29, "Building ColdFusion Custom Tags").

The chapter on building ColdFusion Custom Tags is in fact chapter 31, not chapter 29.

I guess what it really comes down to is if you're willing to accept some things that should have been caught in editing, then you'll find this book useful.

For the most part, the information is presented well, and thoroughly. It moves a little slow in my opinion for those already familiar with server-side scripting and other languages.

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Opion of this BOOK, June 30, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Mastering ColdFusion 4.5 (Paperback)

Loved it got more out of this book then in Fortas although Forta is the so called guru of Cold Fusion which is fine and dandy, but I lean more towards this book for reference and how to's.

I took the Fastrack to Cold Fusion class, learned alot in 3 days and this book goes right along with the class.

Would definetly pick this one first or do what I do read a couple of chapters out of both and make up your own mind.