Writing Code

Although you can code your application pages using NotePad or any HTML editor, this manual will use ColdFusion Studio because it affords many features that make ColdFusion development easier. See Using ColdFusion Studio for details. If you haven't already done so, you should install ColdFusion Studio.

From a coding perspective, the major difference between a static HTML page and a ColdFusion application page is that ColdFusion pages contain ColdFusion Markup Language (CFML). CFML is a markup language that's very similar in syntax to HTML so Web developers find it intuitive.

Unlike HTML which defines how things are displayed and formatted on the client, CFML identifies specific operations that are performed by ColdFusion Server.

Note To create a ColdFusion application page:
  1. Open ColdFusion Studio.
  2. Select File > New and select the Default Template for your new page.
  3. Edit the file so that it appears as below:
    <HTML>
    <HEAD>
    <TITLE>Call Department</TITLE>
    </HEAD>
    <BODY>
    <STRONG>Call Department</STRONG>
    <CFSET Department="Sales">
    <CFOUTPUT>
    I'd like to talk to someone in #Department#.
    </CFOUTPUT>
    </BODY>
    </HTML>