In the last article (part 1) we went through all the different types of server-side as well as client-side validation of data submitted by a form. We even exposed some of the JavaScript that is written by ColdFusion when using <cfform> and <cfinput> together. We also looked at the key differences between server-side validation and client-side validation as a best approach to how to build your next form / action page application. I was hoping to get into the Back-End Administration construction but my article got too big and ran out of time to “Git-'R-Done!"
In this article we’re picking up where we left off to build out the back-end administration of the website. This is a good time to begin it since we’ve added some front-end capabilities that work with a database. It stands to reason that if we allow people to put stuff into the database, we better have a way to get things out of the database. Our goal is to build the framework for our back-end, and build one tool that will allow us to report off the sales leads. We’ll have a search interface so we can pull database records based on form criteria supplied by an admin user. We’ll automatically pull the top 10 most recent records and make the table display columns clickable so the user can sort the data they’re seeing by ascending and descending order on the column itself. We’re going to use some of the ColdFusion code wizards in Dreamweaver MX 2004, and we’ll look at some intermediate to advanced-level ColdFusion code suitable for a beginner. One such example is that we will introduce recordset paging and recordset navigation. These two useful tools allow you to be informed on what records you’re viewing, and a means to navigate through all the records being returned.
Rob Sherman Bio:
Attended Fullerton College for a BS in Computer Science and began designing web pages in 1991. In 1994 he began working for an Internet Service Provider called Compulearn in Tarzana, CA. While there he began teaching various computer classes like Access, Word, Excel and Internet related courses. Aside from teaching he became the Webmaster for Compulearn and started designing website for Compulearn and it’s clients. Some of those clients included: Arco, Gilette, Vision Correction Centers, various legal and insurance offices, AT & T, San Fernando Valley Bar Association, a teen website called Moxiegirl, State of Arizona, and the United States Commerce Department.
Rob also decided to take on other responsibilities and worked for a non-profit organization called the Global Schoolhouse Foundation in 1997. This non-profit organization had a mission of bringing Internet technology into the classrooms for both students and teachers. The work this foundation performed was even recognized by now presidential candidate Al Gore, and more recently President George W. Bush and met with the organization periodically. Rob excelled in the ColdFusion language and was building web based projects that brought teachers and students together from over 30 countries.
In 1999, Rob left the Global Schoolhouse to take on the title of Director of Development for an online auction website located in Paris, France. This website was Eurobid.com. In February of 1999 the idea of a truly multi-lingual auction website for the European community was just a thought, but by the end of that same year it became a reality. While continuing to work from the states, Rob put together a team of ColdFusion developers across the U.S. as well as system administrators and was responsible for architecting one of the strongest auction communities in all Europe.
After leaving Eurobid in 2000, Rob formed his own consulting corporation, known as CFDude, Inc. and maintains several clients. He also became a Macromedia Certified Instructor (along with Macromedia Advanced Certified ColdFusion Developer) teaching courses for Andrew’s Technology all over the U.S. and later taught ColdFusion MX and Flash MX 2004 classes for RoundPeg. Rob was also selected to be a part of the pilot program for the Macromedia Certified Professional Program and is one of the first Macromedia Certified Professionals. Rob presently holds the following certifications: Advanced ColdFusion Developer/Trainer; Flash MX Developer/Trainer; Flash MX 2004 Developer/Trainer.