Exchanging Data via XML

You can now move complex data structures across the Web using Web Distributed Data Exchange (WDDX). This new capability is based on XML 1.0 and can be used to exchange data between CFML applications and other applications.

Additionally, server-to-browser and browser-to-server JavaScript data exchanges can be instantiated using WDDX. Server data can be transferred to the browser and converted to JavaScript objects, while JavaScript data generated on the browser can be serialized and transferred to the application server.

This functionality is encapsulated in the CFWDDX tag.

While WDDX is a valuable tool for ColdFusion developers, it's utility is not limited to CFML. WDDX serialization of common programming data structures such as arrays, record sets, and name-value pairs enables data communication, via HTTP, across a range of languages.

The best source of information about WDDX is http://www.wddx.org/. This site, sponsored by Allaire Corporation, offers a free download of the WDDX SDK and a number of resources, including a WDDX FAQ and a developer forum.

Contents

• An Overview of Distributed Data for the Web
• WDDX Components
• Working with Application-Level Data
• Data Exchange Across Application Servers
• How WDDX Works
• Converting CFML Data to a JavaScript Object
• Transferring Data from Browser to Server

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