‘Is ColdFusion Dead?’ Debunking Rumors of CF’s Downfall

In the land of programming, where shadows of obsolescence loom, a question often appears: Is ColdFusion dead?

Dead?! Developers around the country are using the language and development platform as you read this. They’re conjuring modern, robust apps like wizards. Adobe, too, keeps updating the platform.

So gather ‘round, fellow CF wizards and skeptics alike, as we finally end the debate: Is ColdFusion genuinely dead? Or is CF thriving in the Shire of Middleware-earth?

The Myth of ColdFusion’s Downfall

Programmers, much like the inhabitants of Middleware-earth, have allegiances. ColdFusion often ranks among the less-heralded languages for a few reasons: 

1. ColdFusion is not free. (Though Lucee CFML is free!)
2. Largely off the radar of many start-ups.
3. Doesn’t have the name recognition of its competitors, making CIOs hesitant to support its use.

Setting aside biases, a tale of resilience and strength emerges. A story where ColdFusion, much like Samwise Gamgee, proves to be an unassuming yet powerful force. 

After trekking through the landscapes of features, capabilities, and real-world applications, you’ll arrive at the inevitable epiphany: Is ColdFusion dead? No! ColdFusion is thriving, although many have prematurely declared its doom.

The State of the ColdFusion Union 

Every year, programmers using ColdFusion take a survey mapping the CF landscape. The responses run the gamut from supporting CF to dismissing it outright.

Here are some highlights from the most recent survey:

1. Adobe ColdFusion (all versions combined) continues to be more popular than Lucee (all versions combined).
2. SQL Server is still the most-used database, with MySQL gaining popularity compared to previous years.
3. ColdBox has become the new favorite framework, as developers have ditched custom set-ups.
4. jQuery trumps its competition, including the once-popular Vue.js, React, and Angular as the front-end framework of choice.
5. CommandBox has grown in users.
6. CFers continue to use Git for source control the most (in all its favors: Bitbucket, GitHub, Git.bs, etc.)
7. VS Code has roared even further ahead as the top CF-IDE.
8. Most CF users prefer to keep their hosting in-house, followed by AWS, Hostek, Digital Ocean, and Azure.
9. There have been very few CF security issues (as always).
10. CFers pick CF because it’s fast, simple and fun; plus, they have a lot of legacy CF code.

The survey results show the more developers use ColdFusion, the more they love it.

Why Experts Agree CF is More Popular Than Ever

Adobe has been releasing updated versions of ColdFusion for the last 25+ years. It constantly adds new features and makes coding as simple as speaking “Friend” and entering The Doors of Durin. Despite this, programming giants like PHP, Java, ASP.NET, Ruby on Rails, Perl, and Python make CF seem like a Hobbit among Ents.

I spoke with some guests at a recent IntoTheBox Conference (akin to a council of Elrond for ColdFusion enthusiasts), asking why they still use CF and think it is the best option.

Their answers expressed the same sentiment: ColdFusion, with its rich history and evolution, is not just a language but an institution. To the untrained eye, its age is a burden. Yet its strength lies in its longevity – a language tempered like fine steel, improved with age.

ColdFusion is an example of enduring quality. It appeals to seasoned wizards and young hobbits embarking on their coding journey — and thus, very much alive.

“You can create so much stuff with it. It is as competitive as any other language. The language itself is very versatile, and Ortus [Solutions] has invested so much because we believe in it.”

Jorge Reyes

ColdFusion’s Cherished Place Among Developers

Does ColdFusion suit your needs?

The answer depends on your quest. ColdFusion is perfect for sculpting dynamic websites. It’s an innovative force, versatile enough to cater to the needs of both the humblest Shire-like small businesses and titans of industry.

“It is a language that makes me the most productive, and I can build so many applications with it in LESS time than in other languages… always coming back to CFML for rapid application development.”

Luis Majano, @ IntoTheBox Conference chat

Small web development companies (“small” in every way but in spirit) see the biggest benefit from using ColdFusion, offering nimble programming with stability, reliability, and speed.

I’m puzzled by assertions that PHP/ASP is cheaper. Consider a typical small company with up to six employees — no larger than the Fellowship of the Ring. ColdFusion enables these companies to save 60-75% in development time. It magically creates time to spend on new projects, even with tight budgets.

So… should you choose ColdFusion? If you seek a tool that weaves simplicity and mighty capabilities, much like how Frodo was entrusted with the Ring, then yes. In web development, ColdFusion is a tool and a trusted companion on your journey, ensuring your digital quest is victorious.

Related: ColdFusion is Super Easy

Can ColdFusion Deliver a Higher Value and Meet Performance Demands?

Developers like CF’s resourceful, multifaceted, and reliable nature. It can implement web services, juggle dozens of functions, or handle image and PDF tools with the ease of Legolas taking down orcs. Maintenance in ColdFusion is swift and seamless, too. 

Consider this: most US Federal services, along with behemoths like Pepsico, BMW, Apple and other Fortune 500 companies, use ColdFusion. That these titans of industry and governance choose ColdFusion speaks volumes of its capability in the face of demanding standards.

Adobe ColdFusion: A Forge of Modern Web Craftsmanship

Adobe crafted ColdFusion 2023 with many new features and improvements, adding innovation for developers far and wide. The latest release includes enchantments and powerful tools that can revolutionize companies’ development of web applications.

ColdFusion 2023 is a testament to Adobe’s commitment to innovation and excellence in web development. With its unparalleled performance, robust security, and a host of modern features, it’s no wonder there is a buzz of excitement in the community akin to the jubilation in Hobbiton during a grand feast.

It includes:

1. Google Cloud Platform Services Integration: Imagine ColdFusion as a powerful wizard, now able to call upon the vast powers of Google Cloud Platform services. This integration allows developers to wield the mighty tools of GCP Storage, Firestore, and PubSub to enhance their web applications’ performance, scalability, and efficiency.
2. GraphQL Integration: With the power of GraphQL, developers can now summon and manipulate data with unprecedented ease and flexibility, much like a sorcerer commanding the elements.
3. JSON Web Tokens (JWT) Support: Ensuring the realm of your applications is secure, JWTs are like mystical seals, protecting the gates of your digital kingdom from unwanted trespassers.
4. Central Configuration Server (CCS): Managing your ColdFusion instances is now simple, thanks to the centralized control and management provided by CCS.
5. Enhanced PDF 2.0 Capabilities: Turning HTML to PDF is now straightforward, with improved rendering for high-quality, pixel-perfect documents.

As developers, you’re invited to join this new chapter in the ColdFusion saga. Equip yourself with the latest tools and knowledge, and prepare to elevate your web applications to legendary status. 

So, don your cloaks, gather your fellowship, and embark on this exciting journey to harness the full potential of a still-thriving new Adobe ColdFusion. 

Third-party ColdFusion Support

In the grand quest of ColdFusion development, a fellowship of third-party ColdFusion supporters stands tall, wielding their expertise like wizards casting spells within the language. Each brings unique skills and tools to fortify ColdFusion’s capabilities.

FusionReactor: The Wizards of Java Server Monitoring

Imagine FusionReactor as the Gandalf of Java server monitoring tools, providing keen insight and foresight into your application’s performance. With its expertise, you can detect the most minor flaws in your code, improving its performance and user experience as if by magic.

​​Foundeo: A Shield Against Digital Orcs

Foundeo is the ColdFusion equivalent of the Rangers guarding the Shire, focusing on security. It offers an arsenal of tools for applying ColdFusion hotfixes and fortifying your servers against digital onslaughts. HackMyCF, its free web service, acts as a vigilant scout, scanning your domain for any chinks in the armor and revealing vulnerabilities.

Ortus Solutions: Crafters of Essential ColdFusion Tools

Ortus Solutions, akin to the master craftsmen of the Elves, offers a trove of ColdFusion box products, both open-source and commercial. Their expertise and support are as diverse and rich, ensuring there’s little in the realm of CF they can’t provide.

With these three allies in your CF journey, you have at your disposal a fellowship as diverse and powerful as the companions of Frodo, each bringing their unique strengths to ensure your success in the ever-evolving world of web development.

Lucee 6: Open Source ColdFusion

Word of Lucee’s growing renown has spread like tales of Bilbo’s adventures, inspiring more within the community to embrace the open-source platform. Lucee 6 heralds a new era in the CFML landscape, guiding developers through the complexities of modern web development. 

This latest version of the open-source CFML engine is a testament to innovation and community-driven progress, boasting enhancements in performance, security, and usability that are as formidable as the walls of Helm's Deep. 

What truly distinguishes Lucee 6 is its commitment to continual growth. Monthly updates, forged by the collective wisdom and needs of the community, bring a steady stream of improvements, enriching the platform with new features, bug fixes, and security patches. 

Lucee is viewed as a younger, open-source kin to the traditional CFML framework, continuing the rapid web application development legacy through .cfm and .cfc files. 

Picture a world where the cumbersome tags of old are vanishing, ‘components’ are evolving into ‘classes,’ and new features emerge. Developers now have the power to run CFML applications in legacy mode while also harnessing Lucee’s dialect to enhance their creations.

This evolution of Lucee heralds progress and a promising expansion of the CF developer community. Lucee’s progress is a vital step towards unifying and enlarging the community of CFML developers, ensuring the language continues to thrive and adapt in the ever-changing landscape of web development.

Journey from Legacy ColdFusion to the Shire of Modern CF

Anyone who’s navigated the dark, tangled forests of old legacy ColdFusion code knows the perils it holds. Non-framework code, spaghetti code, duplications, and the ghostly presence of unused code (affectionately termed ‘deadwood’) litter the landscape. In these woods, efficient maintenance is elusive and useful code vanishes under a pile of digital debris.

“A lot of companies don’t want to modernize and are still in ‘legacy hell.’ Modern tooling and introduction to microservices will propel CFML to the next level.”

Luis Majano, Ortus Solutions

How does one journey from this legacy labyrinth to the green pastures of modern CFML? Modern ColdFusion offers:

1. Easier Maintenance: Imagine code as clear and organized as the orderly rows of a Hobbit’s pantry. Modern CFML offers simple structures that transform everyday tasks into a breeze.
2. Rapid Deployment: Modern CF makes deploying changes and adapting to future requirements swift, like a ride on Shadowfax. With robust and solid code, nothing hinders your progress, making quick work of any task.
3. Fewer Bugs: The new landscape of CF comes with a magical can of insect spray. Finding and fixing bugs becomes so simple you’ll relish the opportunity to squish them.
4. Modern, Responsive Front-End: Modern CF makes your creations work with the elegance of Elven craftsmanship, seamlessly functioning across mobile and desktop browsers.

The path to modern CFML is clear, leading to a brighter, more efficient future in web development.

(In case you need help modernizing your CFML, we’ve got a few wizards who can help…)

The ColdFusion Community: A Thriving Fellowship of CF Enthusiasts

CFers flourish in a community filled with toil but also joy and contentment, much like the Shire. The largest and most vibrant gathering place for this fellowship is the CFML Slack channel, which has a few thousand members. This platform has become a vital hub where members eagerly post questions, share wisdom, and engage in camaraderie with fellow CF enthusiasts.

Other digital gathering places such as Facebook and LinkedIn groups serve as thriving marketplaces of ideas and interaction where CFers exchange insights and forge connections.

Hashtags like #CFML, #ColdFusion, and #Lucee echo across the digital plains of social media. This digital landscape is home to many active CFers, each a beacon of knowledge and inspiration in their own right. Esteemed names like Brad Wood [Ortus Solutions], Charlie Arehart, and Raymond Camden shine like stars in the ColdFusion cosmos, guiding and enlightening those who journey through these realms.

ColdFusion Conferences

In the sprawling, ever-evolving realm of web development, akin to the vast landscapes of Middleware-earth, grand gatherings beckon the fellowship of ColdFusion enthusiasts every year. These are not mere conferences but epic quests where the wise and the curious converge.

Within Middleware-earth, there are five major CF conferences:

• CF Summit East
• Into The Box
• CF Camp
• CF Summit West
• CF Summit India

These conferences call upon the finest minds in the CFML community. ColdFusion developers often journey through the latest CF technologies, discovering treasures of knowledge and insight.

Expect sessions brimming with lore on modern CFML, with speakers as knowledgeable as Gandalf sharing wisdom on state-of-the-art web development practices.

Discussions often revolve around the future of web development, security, performance, and digital transformation.

Attendees each bring their unique skills and perspectives. They will depart with enhanced knowledge and a sense of camaraderie and purpose, ready to face the Saurons and Sarumans of the digital world and a renewed conviction that CF remains an indispensable part of their arsenal.

The CF Of The Future

ColdFusion has been like a Phoenix since its birth in the digital realm, continually reborn to soar higher with each iteration. Its journey is a testament to adaptability and foresight, qualities that have made it a legendary presence in the ever-shifting landscape of technology. The latest chapter in this saga is Adobe ColdFusion 2023, a release that marks an evolution and a revolution in the art of coding.

ACF 2023 emerges as a masterstroke, a renaissance in the annals of ColdFusion history. It’s not just an update; it’s a complete reimagining, a shift to a world where modularity, security, and containerization are the guiding stars. This new era ushers in an arsenal of powerful features and upgrades:

• Performance and Scalability Enhancements: Applications unleash their full potential with blazing speed and the ability to scale like never before, welcoming more concurrent users.
• Google Cloud Platform Integration: ColdFusion now dances in harmony with GCP Cloud Storage, weaving a spell that allows seamless communication with multiple databases through a mere line of code.
• CF and GCP Firestore Synergy: Step into a realm of dynamic scalability with GCP Firestore, where handling vast seas of data, tapping into flexible JSON-like models, and supercharging your app development is but a fraction of its power.
• GraphQL Mastery: Communicate with GraphQL clients easily, navigating through complex queries while the server upholds your data.
• JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) Support: Create and verify JWTs with ColdFusion or decipher those conjured by third-party applications, adding another versatility to your digital arsenal.
• Central Configuration Server: Command and control your instances from a central throne, grouping and managing them with the wisdom of a seasoned strategist.
• A New PDF Rendering Engine: Transform intricate HTML into flawless PDF documents with finesse.

In this latest chapter, Adobe ColdFusion 2023 vanquishes a host of bugs, unheard of for a language unjustly branded as ‘dead.’

Related: Exploring the Exciting Features of Adobe ColdFusion 2023: A Comprehensive Overview

Considering a switch? Let our comprehensive guide be your map of the treasures that await in CF 2023.

Related: Moving from old code into the modernized CF

The Dawn of a New Era: ColdFusion's Luminous Path Forward

When we recount all the facts, it’s clear that ColdFusion is surviving and thriving. 

Contrary to the misconceptions held by some outside the community, ColdFusion’s pulse is strong, evidenced by the plethora of annual conferences and camps and the steady drumbeat of updates. 

ColdFusion remains the backbone of top-tier company websites worldwide, boasting an impressive return on investment and heightened productivity for medium to large-scale enterprises.

Imagine a world where rapid development in ColdFusion enhances a single developer’s productivity by 30%, a number that only escalates when considering the collective effort of a team. Your staff will wrestle less with bugs and enjoy more time ensuring flawless functionality. 

Our humble assessment sees ColdFusion as more than just alive; it’s flourishing and set to continue its legacy into the unforeseeable future.

FAQs About ColdFusion

What is ColdFusion?

ColdFusion is a robust development platform that leverages CFML to construct modern web applications. Since its inception in 1995, ColdFusion has witnessed the ebb and flow of tech trends and rival languages, much like an ancient tree observing the changing seasons, yet it remains a steadfast and evolving force in the IT world.

Why use ColdFusion?

Choosing ColdFusion is akin to selecting the finest steel for a sword; it’s easier to learn, use, deploy, and adapt. With built-in functions for commonly used tools like database access and PDF creation, ColdFusion helps web applications survive and thrive.

What is ColdFusion used for?

ColdFusion is primarily used for data-driven websites or intranets, though its versatility is legendary. Its capabilities extend to generating remote services such as REST services, WebSockets, SOAP web services, or Flash remoting, making it as versatile as a wizard’s spells.

As we conclude our quest, it’s clear that ColdFusion, far from being a relic of the past, is thriving with ongoing innovation and a loyal community. Its journey continues, and with each version, it is an invaluable ally in the ever-evolving world of web development.

Michaela Light is the host of the CF Alive Podcast and has interviewed more than 100 ColdFusion experts. In each interview, she asks "What Would It Take to make CF more alive this year?" The answers still inspire her to continue to write and interview new speakers.

Michaela has been programming in ColdFusion for more than 20 years. She founded TeraTech in 1989. The company specializes in ColdFusion application development, security and optimization. She has also founded the CFUnited Conference and runs the annual State of the CF Union Survey.

And to continue learning how to make your ColdFusion apps more modern and alive, I encourage you to download our free ColdFusion Alive Best Practices Checklist.

Because… perhaps you are responsible for a mission-critical or revenue-generating CF application that you don’t trust 100%, where implementing new features is a painful ad-hoc process with slow turnaround even for simple requests.

What if you have no contingency plan for a sudden developer departure or a server outage? Perhaps every time a new freelancer works on your site, something breaks. Or your application availability, security, and reliability are poor.

And if you are depending on ColdFusion for your job, then you can’t afford to let your CF development methods die on the vine.

You’re making a high-stakes bet that everything is going to be OK using the same old app creation ways in that one language — forever.

All it would take is for your fellow CF developer to quit or for your CIO to decide to leave the (falsely) perceived sinking ship of CFML and you could lose everything—your project, your hard-won CF skills, and possibly even your job.

Luckily, there are a number of simple, logical steps you can take now to protect yourself from these obvious risks.

No Brainer ColdFusion Best Practices to Ensure You Thrive No Matter What Happens Next

ColdFusion Alive Best Practices Checklist

Modern ColdFusion development best practices that reduce stress, inefficiency, project lifecycle costs while simultaneously increasing project velocity and innovation.

√ Easily create a consistent server architecture across development, testing, and production

√ A modern test environment to prevent bugs from spreading

√ Automated continuous integration tools that work well with CF

√ A portable development environment baked into your codebase… for free!

 

Learn about these and many more strategies in our free ColdFusion Alive Best Practices Checklist.