Introduction to ColdFusion Training (3 days)

Introduction to ColdFusion Training Class Overview

This is an introductory ColdFusion class for Web designers who are brand new to ColdFusion. You will learn to process forms, manage sessions, write reusable code and create database-driven ColdFusion-based websites.

Introduction to ColdFusion Training Class Goals

• Learn how ColdFusion works
• Learn the basics of ColdFusion Markup Language (CFML)
• Learn to pass variables from page to page in ColdFusion
• Learn to process form data in ColdFusion
• Learn to write reusable code
• Learn to to use Ajax in ColdFusion
• Learn to manipulate database data with ColdFusion
• Learn to manage sessions and cookies with ColdFusion
• Learn to send email with ColdFusion

Introduction to ColdFusion Training Class Outline

1. Introduction to ColdFusion
   1. Static pages vs. Dynamic pages
   2. Server-side Web Technologies
   3. Database Alphabet Soup: ODBC/JDBC, DSNs and SQL
   4. Course Objectives and Prerequisites
   5. Introduction to Course Project
2. ColdFusion Basics
   1. Using CFML
      1. Code Editors - Dreamweaver vs. HomeSite+
   2. Dreamweaver Interface
      1. Arguments for use of Dreamweaver
      2. HomeSite+ / ColdFusion Studio Interface
      3. Arguments for use of HomeSite+ / ColdFusion Studio
      4. Tag Editing Dialog Boxes
      5. Embedded Tag Help
      6. Using ColdFusion Comments
   3. Creating Variables
      1. <cfset> and <cfoutput>
      2. Variable Scope/Prefixes
   4. Built-in ColdFusion Functions
      1. Insert Expression
      2. CF Function Reference (Dreamweaver specific)
      3. Demo: Built-in Functions
      4. Demo: Date / Time Functions
   5. Using <cfinclude> to reuse code
      1. Demo: Create Header and Footer with <cfinclude>
      2. Exercise 1: Build Dynamic Page Footer using Variables and Date Functions
3. Dynamic Data: Querying the Database
   1. Database Basics
      1. Introduction to SQL
      2. Select Statement
      3. Update Statement
      4. Insert Statement
      5. Delete Statement
      6. Data Source Name (DSN) / Remote Development Server (RDS)
      7. The DSN Used in This Class: movieList
   2. Course Project Database
   3. Querying the database with <cfquery>
      1. <cfdump> for Quick Output
      2. Exercise 2: Query the database
      3. Customizing Display with <cfoutput>
      4. Demo: Using <cfoutput>
   4. Building Dynamic Tables
      1. Shortcut: <cftable>
      2. Shortcut: Dynamic Table Tool (in Dreamweaver)
      3. Exercise 3: Display Resulting Records manually with <cfoutput>
4. Creating a Drill-down Interface
   1. Passing Variables between Pages
      1. "Two-page method"
      2. Demo: Pass Variables via Links
      3. Demo: List of Actors with links
   2. Receive Variables through the URL
      1. Using a WHERE clause in a SQL Statement
      2. Exercise 4: Drill-down for More Detail
5. Conditional Statements and Forms
   1. Conditional Statements
      1. <cfif>, <cfelseif> and <cfelse>
      2. Comparison Operators
      3. Operator
      4. Description
      5. Demo: Conditional Statements
      6. Using the isDefined() function
      7. Exercise 5: Conditional Statements - Data Validation
   2. HTML Form Review
      1. Demo: Pass Variable through a Form
      2. Exercise 6: Process Form Submission
   3. Self-Submitting Forms
      1. Using the <cfparam> tag to set a default value
      2. Fusebox: Perhaps the Ultimate Self-submitting Form
      3. Exercise 7: Self-submitting Form
   4. Dynamically Populating Select Lists
      1. HTML Review: <select> tags
      2. Demo: Dynamic Select List
      3. Introducing the <cfform> Tag
      4. Shortcut: <cfselect>
      5. Exercise 8: Create a Dynamic Select List
   5. CFForm
      1. Masks
      2. Automatic Form Validation
6. ColdFusion and Ajax
   1. Introduction to JavaScript and Ajax
   2. Ajax Controls
   3. Demo: Using <cfgrid> to page through records
      1. Exercise 9: Paging through Records with <cfgrid>
7. Search Interface
   1. Creating a Search Interface
      1. Demo: Using the LIKE clause
      2. Using % and _ in a LIKE Statement
      3. Demo: Building Dynamic SQL Statements
      4. Exercise 10: Create a Search Interface
8. Insert Records into the Database
   1. Inserting Records
      1. SQL Insert Statement
      2. Demo: Insert Record Step 1 - the Form
      3. Insert Record Step 2 - the Insert
      4. Shortcut: <cfinsert>
      5. Redirect Users with <cflocation>
      6. Important note about <cflocation>!
      7. Exercise 11: Insert a New Actor in the Database
   2. Automated Form Validation
      1. Client-side vs. Server-side validation: When does the validation code run?
      2. Exercise 12: Automatic Client-side (or Server-side) Form Validation
9. Edit (Update) Database Records
   1. Updating records
      1. SQL UPDATE Statement Review
      2. Demo: Update Record Page 1 - select the record to edit
      3. Passing the Primary Key
      4. Page 2 - View Current Data in a Form
      5. Page 3 - Perform the Update to the Database
      6. Shortcut: <cfupdate>
      7. Exercise 13: Edit a Record
   2. Deleting Records
      1. Note on Deleting records
      2. Review of the SQL Delete Statement
      3. "Deleting" without deleting
      4. No <cfdelete>!

Introduction to ColdFusion Training Class Prerequisites

Experience in the following areas is required:

• HTML

Experience in the following areas would be beneficial.

• SQL
• JavaScript
• CSS

Introduction to ColdFusion Training Class Materials

Each student will receive a comprehensive set of materials, including course notes and all the class examples.

Class Technical Requirements

Our computer technical requirements and setup process is easy, with support just a click away:

• Click here for technical requirements and setup instructions