Sams Teach Yourself ColdFusion in 21 Days will quickly empower reader's to create their own dynamic database-driven Web applications using Allaire's ColdFusion. Using client-proven methods, and the success of his popular ColdFusion tutorial for Wired, expert author Charles Mohnike provides reader's with and understanding of the ColdFusion Server, and guides them through the use of ColdFusion Studio, enabling them to create their own ColdFusion applications quickly and easily. The 21 One-day lessons include topics such as: Easily installing and configuring the ColdFusion Server. Working with the ColdFusion Studio. Working with SQL. Optimizing your datasource. Understanding Templates and ColdFusion Markup Language (CFML). Using ColdFusion Tags. Manipulating data. Creating E-Commerce solutions with ColdFusion Debugging ColdFusion applications.

Table of Contents:
(NOTE: Each chapter concludes with a Summary, Q&A, and Workshop.) Introduction. WEEK 1. AT A GLANCE. Day 1. Introducing ColdFusion. What Is ColdFusion? Exploring a Sample ColdFusion Application. Why Should I Use ColdFusion? Database-Driven Sites. Data Collection. Understanding Clients and Servers. How ColdFusion Works Within the Client/Server Relationship. Day 2. Anatomy of a ColdFusion Application. Connecting Your Database to the Web. The Datasource and ODBC. Exploring the ColdFusion Template. Exploring the Relationship Between Query and Output. Day 3. Setting Up ColdFusion and Defining a Datasource. Deciding What to Buy or Not to Buy. Questions to Ask a Potential ColdFusion Provider. Exploring ColdFusion Server Varieties. Installing ColdFusion Server on Windows Platforms. Installing ColdFusion Server on Unix-Based Platforms. Verifying Server Setup. Understanding the ColdFusion Administrator. Datasource Options and Setup. Starting and Stopping ColdFusion Service. Day 4. Building a Database and Organizing Data. Database Software Supported by ColdFusion. ColdFusion as a Database-to-Web Gateway. Creating a Data Map. Introducing Data Relationships. Designing the Database. Creating Data Relationships. Table and Database Security. Writing Data into a Database. Day 5. Finding the Data You Need: An Introduction to Queries and SQL. Examining the ColdFusion Query. Exploring the Basics of the SELECT Statement. Qualifying a SELECT Statement with Conditions. Sorting and Evaluating Query Results. Day 6. Creating Your First Web Application. Defining a Sample Application. Creating and Sharing Folders. Setting Up the Datasource. Constructing Your First Templates. Viewing the Index Template. Creating the Second Template Page. Viewing the Details Template. Day 7. Changing the Contents of a Database with ColdFusion. Defining a Sample Application. Introducing and . Understanding Web Forms. Creating an Input Form to Insert Data. Creating the Insert Page. Creating the Edit Interface. Creating a Form to Edit Existing Data. Creating the Update Page. Troubleshooting Insert and Update Operations. Week 1. In Review. WEEK 2. AT A GLANCE. Day 8. Understanding ColdFusion Studio. Introducing ColdFusion Studio. Installing Studio. Studio Components. Accessing Remote Servers. Working with the Editor. Studios Helping Hand. Configuring Studio for Your Work. Studios Help and Reference Functions. Day 9. Enhancing Your Applications with Variables and _If-Then Statements. Defining a Sample Application. Introducing the Tag. Creating an Application with . The Password-Check Page. The Insert Page. Defining Variables with . Day 10. Enhancing Output with Tables and Groups. Understanding . Creating Output Tables with . Creating Output Tables with HTMLs Tag. Grouping Data to Organize Output. Creating Output Using the GROUP Parameter. Making Long Pages Accessible with Index Links. Using SQLs DISTINCT to Create Dynamic Index Links. Day 11. Enhancing Input Pages with Basic Tags. Understanding . Using . The Tag. The Tag. The Tag. The Tag. Day 12. Using Advanced Form Techniques to Manage Input. Understanding SQL Updates, Inserts, and Deletes. Combining Multiple Form Actions. Understanding and . Understanding . Using . Day 13. Using ColdFusion to Handle E-mail. Understanding the Tag. Using . Defining a Default Mail Server in ColdFusion Administrator. Using Queries to Autorespond and Create Content. Using Queries to Send Mail to a List. Getting Incoming Mail with . Deleting Mail with . Day 14. Using ColdFusion Functions to Manipulate Data. Understanding Functions. General Function Rules. Display and Formatting Functions. Using String Functions. Date and Time Functions. Introducing User-Defined Functions. Week 2. In Review. WEEK 3. AT A GLANCE. Day 15. Using Lists, Structures, and Arrays to Package Data. Understanding ColdFusion Lists. Creating ColdFusion Lists. Reading List Values with . Understanding ColdFusion Structures. Understanding ColdFusion Arrays. Defining and Populating Arrays. Reading Data from an Array. Day 16. Using ColdFusion Client and Session Management. Understanding ColdFusions Web Application Framework. Using Application.cfm. Setting Values in Application.cfm. Understanding ColdFusions Client-State Management. Understanding Variable Scopes. Using Session Variables. Understanding Application Variables. Understanding Cookies. Day 17. Finding Text with Verity. Understanding Verity. Defining Verity Collections with ColdFusion Administrator. Searching Verity Collections. Defining and Indexing Verity Collections with CFML Tags. Integrating Databases into Verity Collections. Day 18. Working with Files and Directories. Understanding How ColdFusion Works with Files. Using to Accept Uploads. Using to Manage and Create Files. Copying, Renaming, and Deleting Files with . Viewing File Object Attributes. Reading and Writing with . Using . Day 19. Using Advanced SQL Techniques. Understanding Column Aliases. Understanding Aggregate Functions. Understanding Table Joins. Understanding SQL Subqueries. Understanding SQL Views. Introducing Stored Procedures. Querying Queries. Day 20. Using ColdFusion for E-Commerce Applications. Considering Prewritten Commerce Applications. Planning an E-Commerce Site. Constructing an Administration Section. Constructing a Catalog. Constructing Transaction Pages. Understanding E-Commerce Transaction Types. Completing Your Store Application. Day 21. Using ColdFusions Debugging Tools to Troubleshoot Your Code. Identifying the Source of Errors. Understanding Error Messages Generated by Your Web Server. Understanding Error Messages Generated by ColdFusion. Understanding Error Messages Generated by Your ODBC Driver. Understanding ColdFusions Debugging Tools. Using ColdFusion Studios Document Validator. Introducing ColdFusion Log Files. Week 3. In Review. Appendix A. Answers to the Quiz and Exercise Questions. Appendix B. ColdFusion Tags. Appendix C. ColdFusion Functions. Web site. Index.