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ColdFusion MX: CFForms and Back-End Administration part 1
ColdFusion MX: CFForms and Back-End Administration (part 1 of 2)
In the last article we began to build a web application using forms to insert records into a MySQL database. The concept was simple, we had potential customers that were interested in a vacation from our OKCTravel.com website and they used a form to have their information and interests stored in a database. I gave an overview on HTML forms as well as the SQL for an insert statement and how to orchestrate a “form page, action page” type of application.
In this article we’d like to expand a little on our forms by introducing CFForms using the <cfform> tag. Without giving away all of its secrets, ColdFusion will parse your page and create valid JavaScript routines to handle some very common client side validation of your forms. This is great because end-users will be prompted with JavaScript alert boxes of the things that are incorrect on their form which saves them from having to submit the form to the server to do the checking.
Here are the topics that we’re going to cover in part 1 of this article:
- <cfform>
- <cfinput>
- Server-Side vs. Client-Side Validation
These topics will give us a chance to explore everything there is to offer about forms and client-side validation in addition to building out our back-end administration (in part 2). This article will not cover security just yet. We’re going to build the framework and a working application and perhaps in the next article we’ll discuss securing our application, but by the end of this article series you’ll have a completed framework for your entire website. When you read this article, don’t forget to grab the source code too – it’s all included just for you!
Rob Sherman
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.