Is Lucee CFML now better than ColdFusion?

Has Lucee CFML surpassed Adobe ColdFusion in the race for web development supremacy? Developers often choose between aligning their forces with either Adobe ColdFusion or Lucee. Let’s compare these two titans, dispelling myths and confirming legends to discover the ultimate web development tool.

Adobe ColdFusion vs. Lucee: A Tale of Two Kingdoms

Adobe ColdFusion has long stood as Minas Tirith within the land of web development. A beacon of strength, providing a proprietary platform for crafting web applications with unmatched prowess. It includes a suite of features that cater to the needs of developers, whether they choose the path of CF Standard or the more formidable CF Enterprise.

Enter Lucee 6, the free, open-source Rohan to Adobe’s Gondor. Born from the ashes of Railo, its creators decided they would put all their resources into Lucee. Thus, the non-profit Lucee Association Switzerland was born. In July 2016, The Railo Corporation dissolved. Lucee, Railo’s successor, remains the top Open-Source CFML Platform on the market today and was recently updated to Lucee 6.

Lucee rides with the speed of the Rohirrim, offering a dynamic scripting language that compiles into Java byte code. Lucee's compatibility with both modern and legacy CF — and its low cost — make it an appealing ally for those seeking refuge from Adobe's licensing fees. It’s ready to face Adobe ColdFusion in battle.

Related: CFML Open Source: Everything You Need To Know About Lucee

Let’s delve into the many significant ways Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee differ.

Lucee CFML vs. Adobe ColdFusion: Choosing the Right CFML Platform

The first concern for many developers is cost. Adobe ColdFusion presents a choice between two paths — the CF Standard or the CF Enterprise. For most web applications, the CF Standard, priced at $2,499 per two cores, offers all the necessary tools and spells. Alas, with great power comes great expense, so the price rises to $9,499 per eight cores for Adobe ColdFusion’s Enterprise edition. This price can appear as daunting as a trek through the Mines of Moria for developers used to free languages.

The licensing costs of ACF can be a significant expense that can burden those without the treasure troves of the larger kingdoms. This has led many to seek a more affordable, perhaps even open-source, ally in their coding endeavors.

Mike Chytráček in the ColdFusion Alive Podcast Episode Lucee Migration (8 CFML code moving tips) spoke of the pains caused by Adobe’s licensing model, making it so financially burdensome it could drain the coffers of smaller companies. Adobe's model evolved to include charges per CPU and for SaaS applications. “We were facing tens of thousands of dollars of immediate costs,” Chytráček said. “I think they've backed off that model since then. But I mean, it was enough for us to start looking.”

For him and many others, Lucee emerges as a beacon of hope for those seeking this more cost-effective path, offering its services for the grand sum of zero. This price tag has led many developers to venture towards Lucee, leaving the lands of Adobe behind. 

Should you wish to support the architects of Lucee, donations are welcomed by the Lucee Association Switzerland, allowing both corporate entities and individual contributors to aid in its continued development and prosperity.

The Rise of Lucee CFML: A Cost-Effective Alternative to ColdFusion

In the cloud computing and hosting realms, Adobe ColdFusion, much like the enclosed city of Minas Tirith, faces challenges in its scalability. The cost of scaling high-traffic systems in the cloud can be as daunting as the armies of Mordor. 

Advantages of Lucee

Lucee, on the other hand, offers a path free of licensing fees, akin to the open plains of Rohan, where scaling is limited only by the horizons.

In the vast expanse of the cloud, two paths unfold for those seeking to harness the power of ColdFusion.

1. The Path of AWS (Amazon Web Service): Here lies a pre-enchanted realm with ColdFusion 2016, ready to serve via a licensed Amazon Machine Image (AMI). This magical construct demands an hourly tribute for its services, with costs ascending with the might of your machinery or the number of servers under your command. Beware, for the toll exacted by Adobe ColdFusion's licensing fees looms large, regardless of the host chosen for your digital dominion.
2. The Toll-Free Road with Lucee: Venture into the open lands of Lucee for a quest less burdensome on your coffers. As an open-source sanctuary, Lucee offers freedom from the scaling licensing fees that shadow the lands of Adobe. Here, the air is clear of the cost-heavy fog, allowing for a journey unencumbered by the gold one must part within other realms.

Choose wisely, for each path offers its own blend of power and price, guiding your quest for cloud-based dominion in web development.

 

The Fellowship of Installation: Ease of Setting Up Camp

Both Adobe and Lucee offer their own version of Rivendell, a haven where setting up your environment is a tranquil process. Adobe ColdFusion's latest incarnation simplifies its installation with a self-guided installer. At the same time, Lucee has always prided itself on ease of installation, ensuring that developers can quickly join the fray without delay.

Adobe ColdFusion's Journey

Once a path fraught with trials, involving lengthy rituals to verify server connections across diverse lands and special considerations for the myriad operating systems of Middle-earth, Adobe ColdFusion's journey was not for the faint of heart. However, the dawn of ColdFusion 2021 brought a new age of enlightenment. A lightweight, self-guided installer now carries much of the burden, guiding you through the installation process with the wisdom and ease of Gandalf navigating through Middle-earth. This evolution mirrors the simplicity that was long championed by Lucee.

Lucee's Path of Ease 

From time immemorial, Lucee has been a beacon of hope for those weary of complicated installations. With an installer as steadfast as Samwise, it automatically connects to servers, requiring no manual intervention. This charm works across the lands of Windows and Linux, making it a versatile companion on your development journey.

Some also claim Lucee outperforms ACF! Mike Chytráček, in a CF Alive podcast episode, observed that the spells and charms of code ran swifter in Lucee, outpacing Adobe ColdFusion.

“We noticed that some of the functionality was actually faster,” Chytráček said in his podcast interview. “We tested it out with MS SQL and MySQL, kind of doing some due diligence. And within, I'd say, 30 days, we had decided we're not going to migrate to the new version of ColdFusion.”

Thus, whether you choose the renewed simplicity of Adobe ColdFusion or the enduring ease of Lucee, the path to setting up your development environment is now less perilous, letting you focus on the adventures that lie ahead in your coding quest.

Gathering of the Clans: Lucee Support Team and Community

Adobe ColdFusion boasts a dedicated support team, akin to the brave Knights of Dol Amroth, ready to come to your aid. Lucee, meanwhile, thrives on the strength of its community, much like the Fellowship itself, where members support each other through trials and tribulations. While Adobe's direct support is highly esteemed, Lucee's community-driven assistance is a testament to the power of the CF community’s unity.

Adobe ColdFusion's Circle of Wizards 

Adobe beckons with a cadre of dedicated support wizards, reachable via the mystical arts of telephony or the scrolls of online tickets. This direct conduit to aid is bolstered by the fellowship found within Adobe ColdFusion communities — sanctuaries where developers can seek and offer assistance in navigating the challenges of web development. These include a Facebook group for CF programmers and the CFML Slack channel. The realm of Adobe is also rich with testing tools and online resources, designed to arm you with knowledge and spells for your journey.

Lucee's Community of Allies

In the lands of Lucee, support flows like the waters of the Entwash, natural and community-driven. Here, members stand shoulder to shoulder, united in their resolve to unravel mysteries and conquer coding conundrums. Should you pledge allegiance to the Lucee Association Switzerland, a light of technical support shines upon you, guiding your way. For quests of greater magnitude and complexity, third-party commercial support services stand ready to join your fellowship, offering their expertise for hire.

While Adobe's direct line of support is heralded by many as the beacon of hope in times of need, the communal bonds within Lucee's domain offer a different kind of strength — one forged in the shared experiences and collective wisdom of its inhabitants. 

For Chytráček and his compatriots, the Lucee forums and Slack channels became their council of Elrond, offering wisdom and guidance. And for those needing a more direct line to the wizards, the Lucee Association offered paid support, ensuring no one would face the dark woods alone.

Each path offers its form of support, ensuring that no developer walks alone.

The Chronicles of Updates: Keeping the Armories Stocked

The guardians of Adobe ColdFusion and the stewards of Lucee embark on different quests to keep their realms secure and thriving.

Adobe ColdFusion's Scroll of Continuous Vigilance

Adobe, like the vigilant Rangers of the North, routinely scouts the horizon for threats, issuing hotfixes with the regularity of the changing seasons. Since the era of ColdFusion 10, they have dispatched ravens to announce the availability of new patches, a beacon for those wishing to fortify their defenses against the shadows. While Adobe stops short of installing these updates with the wave of a wizard's wand, they encourage their denizens to migrate to newer, safer lands, releasing new versions of ColdFusion every two years. The latest chapter in this saga is ColdFusion 2023, a testament to Adobe's enduring commitment to progress and protection.

Lucee's Tapestry of Community Vigil 

The Lucee realm, while rich in community spirit and camaraderie, follows a more mystic path where updates are concerned. Currently navigating through the era of 6.0.x, Lucee relies on its fellowship to stay alert for signs of new tweaks and patches. This journey is less automated, more akin to the lore-keeping of old, where each member is a keeper of the flame, responsible for seeking out enhancements from beyond the borders of Lucee Association Switzerland. Updates, akin to ancient scrolls, are sometimes sought from the realms of third-party sites, with the original magics of Lucee 4.5 requiring manual incantations to invoke newer powers.

In the realm of updates and vigilance, Adobe's beacon burns brightly with automated alerts and a cadence of renewal every two years, standing as a tower of strength and guidance. Lucee, with its more hands-on approach, reminds us of the value of community vigilance and the shared responsibility of keeping the realm secure. Both paths offer their wisdom, reflecting the diverse landscapes of the web development world.

The Common Tongue: Ease of Use and Language Support

In the grand tapestry of web development, CFML (ColdFusion Markup Language) emerges as the elvish script of our era—elegant, powerful, and accessible to many. This common language binds the realms of Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee, making them allies in ease of use and learning.

Ben Nadel, a CF wizard in his own right, likened opening a script-based component in CFML to encountering familiar structures from other languages, such as JavaScript or Ruby. “It's not a huge leap for someone to come from basically any other language and look at CFML and be able to maintain it,” he said in an episode of the ColdFusion Alive Podcast.

Adobe ColdFusion: The Forge of Flexibility

Adobe ColdFusion has evolved, much like the Ents of old, to speak in the modern tongues of scripted languages, integrating seamlessly with the deep mines of Java. This evolution opens the gates to developers, inviting them to craft in a robust and versatile language.

Since the dawn of ColdFusion 8 in July 2007, Adobe ColdFusion has embraced the .NET assemblies, weaving them seamlessly into the fabric of CFML. Like the diverse races of Middle-earth uniting against a familiar foe, ColdFusion brings together ActionScript and CFScript, alongside its foundation in the Java EE platform. This amalgamation allows developers to blend ColdFusion code with the ancient libraries of Java, creating a powerful force for web applications.

Lucee’s Simplicity Spell 

Lucee offers simplicity, casting light on paths once thought complex within Adobe’s dominion. Its streamlined processes have garnered the favor of many developers within the ColdFusion Programmers Facebook group citadel, proving its mettle in the vast fields of enterprise with no challenges.

Lucee’s camaraderie with Java classes is renowned, but it is in the handling of JSON, the language of the web, where Lucee truly shines. Brad Wood, a sage among developers, proclaims Lucee's superiority in this realm, highlighting its precision and finesse in dealing with JavaScript Object Notation.

For novices embarking on their journey to seasoned mages looking to expand their spells, both Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee stand as welcoming realms. United by CFML, they offer a sanctuary where developers, regardless of their experience, can conjure web applications with ease and grace.

Both Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee serve as beacons for developers, offering a multitude of languages with which to craft their creations. From the storied halls of Adobe to the open-source fields of Lucee, the world of CFML is a land of diversity and unity, where code weaves together the fabric of the web.

The Search for Even More Modernization

In the ever-evolving web development landscape, the availability and integration of development tools and Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) are pivotal in the ColdFusion landscape. Various IDEs and code editors cater to the needs of CFML developers, offering support for both Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee. These tools enhance developer productivity, ensure code quality, and facilitate a smoother development process.

For example, the recently released Lucee 6 shifts from XML to JSON for configuration management. It makes interfacing with the platform more intuitive, making it a steadfast companion for developers seeking to harness its power without undue complexity. It’s just part of the leap forward the open-source platform is making.

Gert Franz, in an episode of the ColdFusion Alive Podcast, explains Lucee’s future, painting a picture of a platform that embraces simplicity and flexibility. With a shift from XML to JSON for configuration management, interfacing with the platform has become more intuitive, making it a steadfast companion for developers seeking to harness its power without undue complexity.

Other features, such as thread debugging and performance boosts in CFHTTP through connection pooling, are a glimpse of Lucee's commitment to meeting the demands of modern web development, as exemplified by applications like Spotify.

Adobe’s latest edition, ColdFusion 2024, promises enchanting features and enhancements. From the precision of GraphQL Client to the elven craftsmanship of the HTML to PDF feature and the rich, unstructured depths explored with NoSQL Database Support, each feature in ColdFusion 2024 is a testament to Adobe's commitment to the magic and wisdom of modern web development. 

The introduction of cloud relational database services, AWS Lambda's wizardry for serverless operations, and the hobbit-sized efficiency of its lightweight installer only scratch the surface of this release’s capabilities, further enhanced by sophisticated PDF manipulation with DDX, and the robustness of enterprise infrastructure akin to the strongholds of Middle-earth.

The allure of ColdFusion 2024 extends beyond its feature list, promising a trifecta of enhanced performance, improved security, and a modernized development environment that mirrors the elves' craftsmanship. Fortified security features act as Minas Tirith’s walls against cyber threats, while cloud integration and enhanced Docker support offer scalability and flexibility.

The use of Docker has also become a pivotal chapter in the saga of deployment and scalability. Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee, two stalwarts in the realm of CFML, offer pathways to harness the power of Docker, though their approaches and legacies diverge like the roads to Minas Tirith and Rohan.

Adobe ColdFusion, akin to the fortified city of Minas Tirith, presents a robust Docker image that encapsulates its mighty fortress of features, allowing developers to deploy applications with the majesty and security fitting of Gondor’s capital. This Docker support is a testament to Adobe’s commitment to adapt and thrive in modern deployment environments, offering a seamless integration that allows developers to wield the power of ColdFusion within containerized environments. The Docker images provided by Adobe are tailored to meet the needs of enterprise-scale applications, ensuring that the might of ColdFusion can be summoned across the seas of cloud environments with ease and efficiency.

Lucee, on the other hand, rides out like the Rohirrim over the open plains, with its open-source spirit reflected in its approach to Docker. The Lucee Docker images are crafted for the community, by the community, offering a nimble and adaptable solution that echoes the freedom of the Rohan fields. These images are designed to be lightweight and flexible, allowing developers to swiftly deploy Lucee applications across various environments with the agility of a rider of Rohan. This approach empowers developers with the tools to customize their Docker containers to suit the needs of their quest, ensuring that Lucee’s banner flies high and proud in the Docker ecosystem, inviting all who wish to partake in its open-source fellowship.

Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee’s forays into Docker showcase their unique strengths and philosophies. Adobe, with its enterprise-focused, robust offerings, and Lucee, with its community-driven, adaptable solutions, provide developers with a choice of paths, each leading to the same destination: the efficient, scalable deployment of CFML applications in the modern world of containerized environments.

The Shields of Security: Guarding the Realms

In the shadowed forests of web development, security concerns loom like the dark forces of Mordor, threatening the peace of the realm. Adobe ColdFusion, a stalwart guardian of CFML, faced its trials by shadow in 2013, with ColdFusion versions 8, 9, and 10 falling prey to the enemy’s gaze. Since those dark days, the defenders of Adobe have fortified their walls, and the lands of ColdFusion have seen but few incursions. Adobe's commitment to vigilance has grown more robust, with a renewed dedication to transparency and swiftness when security shadows loom on the horizon, ensuring that the realm remains protected from the threats that seek to breach its defenses.

Lucee, the agile ranger roaming the open plains of open-source, carries a lighter burden of security woes in its travels. With the agility of Legolas, Lucee's custodians can release arrows of response swiftly, often within a day, targeting vulnerabilities with precision. Yet, in Middleware-earth's vast, interconnected world, communication is a trickier path. The heralds of Lucee, while quick to mend the breaches, find the task of sounding the horns to their kin across the lands a more daunting challenge. This communication gap, akin to the beacons of Gondor lying dormant, raises concerns among the fellowship of its users, who stand ready to defend but await the call to arms. Both realms, Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee face their unique trials in the ongoing battle for security, each wielding their strengths and confronting their challenges in the ever-watchful night.

Behold! The State of the CF Union Survey Tells All!

TeraTech’s State of the CF Union Survey was cast far and wide, reaching all the corners of Middleware-earth, to gather knowledge on the engines powering the realms of ColdFusion and Lucee. With a fellowship of 413 respondents, the tale of preferences and allegiances unfolded, revealing the strength and spread of each version within the developer kingdoms.

The Realm of Adobe ColdFusion

• CF 2021, with 36.80% of the total fellowship's allegiance and 28.20% across all engines, is the Aragorn of this saga. This king among versions has rallied a significant following, marking a new era of leadership and innovation in the land of Adobe.
• CF 2018, the Legolas of our tale, boasts 43.10% of the Adobe cohort and 33.02% overall—a testament to its enduring appeal and steadfast performance.
• CF 2016, akin to Gimli, garners 22.76% of the total and 17.44% across the board, showcasing the robustness and reliability of an older yet formidable version.
• The older versions, CF 11, CF 10, and CF 9 or earlier, remind us of the members of the Fellowship whose tales are sung less often but whose contributions remain invaluable. With 15.98%, 6.54%, and 5.33% of the total, respectively, they represent the wisdom of the past and the foundations upon which the present is built.

Lucee: The Rise of the Rohirrim

• Lucee 5.3 or later, the Eomer of our chronicles, leads the charge with a striking 47.46% of the total and an impressive 74.24% of Lucee's ranks. This version is a beacon of modernity and community strength, rallying the Rohirrim to its cause.
• The older brethren, Lucee 5.2 or 5.1 and Lucee 4.x or earlier, with 12.83% and 3.15% of the total fellowship, mirror the loyal forces of Rohan. Though not at the forefront of the charge, they provide the backbone and support necessary for Lucee's battles.
• Railo 4.x or earlier, akin to the ancient ents, accounts for a mere 0.48% of the total, a reminder of the deep roots and long history from which Lucee has sprung.

Much like the Council of Elrond, this survey has brought together the many factions and versions of CFML engines, laying bare the preferences, loyalties, and shifts within our community. As the CFML landscape continues to evolve, the fellowship of developers stands ready, each with their chosen engine, to face the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead in their quest to create, innovate, and forge the future of web development in the spirit of unity and diversity that defines Middleware-earth.

Giving Lucee More Magical Spells

We present to you the “Top 12 Countdown” of the most coveted features for Lucee, as chosen by the valiant members of the CF community. Consider this your enchanted scroll, guiding you through the mystical lands of Middleware-earth in the age of web development! 

• Better Lambda Support – 15 Votes 
  • Invoke the power of a fellowship of functions to conquer even the most daunting of coding quests!
• Better/Updated Documentation – 13 Votes 
  • In the wise words of Gandalf, “A well-documented journey is half the adventure conquered!”
• Faster Code Execution – 11 Votes 
  • Surpass the speed of Legolas's arrows in the heat of battle!
• Closer AI Integration – 10 Votes 
  • Forge an ally brighter than the all-seeing eye (for benevolence, not malevolence)!
• API Manager like ACF – 10 Votes 
  • Command your APIs with the wisdom and authority of the kings of old!
• Websockets – 4 Votes 
  • Establish connections as steadfast as the friendship between Frodo and Samwise!
• Interactive Documentation – 3 Votes 
  • Light your way through the coding Mines of Moria with an interactive guide!
• SSO Manager – 3 Votes 
  • Master a login to unite them all, ensuring peace across the lands!
• A WordPress Killer – 3 Votes 
  • Embark on a noble quest to craft a tool that legends will remember!
• Improved Microservices Support – 2 Votes 
  • Construct your software architecture with the grandeur and might of the towers of Minas Tirith!
• Real-Time Data Stream for IoT – 1 Vote 
  • Wield the power of a Palantír for your data, foreseeing the needs and patterns of the realm!
• Global Meetups – 1 Vote 
  • Convene gatherings that would make even the Elves and Dwarves put aside old grievances in envy!

Embark now, dear developers and CIOs, with this guide in hand, towards a future where Lucee CFML reigns supreme, powered by its community's collective will and wisdom. Forge ahead, for the future of web development is bright and full of potential, waiting for you to shape its destiny! 

 

A Fork in the Road: The Choice Ahead

In the vast and varied landscape of CFML, the twin cities of Lucee and Adobe ColdFusion stand as beacons for developers navigating the terrain of web application development. Our journey through their features and fortitudes reveals that each has its strength and place within the realm. Lucee emerges as a valiant steed for those seeking agility and affordability, offering a realm where the cost of entry is low, but the potential for creativity is boundless. It stands as a testament to the power of open-source communities, providing a formidable alternative to the established kingdom of Adobe ColdFusion.

With its rich heritage and continuous enhancements, Adobe ColdFusion remains the crown jewel in the realm of CFML. Its commitment to innovation and security makes it a stronghold challenging to surpass. While Lucee offers a path of lesser resistance for those beginning their quest or constrained by the coffers of their kingdom, Adobe ColdFusion’s arsenal of features and support continues to hold sway over many.

Forge Your Alliance In the Comments Below

Now, we turn to you, the wanderers of these realms, to share your tales of adventure. Have you pledged your allegiance to Lucee, drawn by the freedom of its open fields, or do you stand within the walls of Adobe ColdFusion, fortified by its strength and majesty? What drove you to your choice, and what wonders or woes have you encountered? For those who have traversed the bridge between these two worlds, what wisdom can you share with your fellow travelers?

Whether you're a steadfast defender of the old guard or a pioneer on the frontier of Lucee, your experiences light the way for those who follow. Share your story, and let us chart the course of CFML's future together under the banners of both Lucee and Adobe ColdFusion.

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.