ColdFusion’s wise elders have left a veritable library of knowledge online. One must simply know where to find it.
One cannot simply become a master ColdFusion developer, the same way one does not simply stroll into Mordor. But one can certainly learn CFML with the proper resources, help and patience. And it’ll be much more pleasant than a visit to Sauron’s home.
Embarking on the quest to learn or improve your skills in ColdFusion can seem daunting at first—a Mordor for noob developers.
Whether you are a curious beginner intrigued by the power of CF or a seasoned wizard of code, there are plenty of resources to arm you on your journey.
Books, websites, podcasts and courses abound, helping CFers master their navigation of Middleware-earth.
Contents
Learning Adobe ColdFusion
Embarking on the quest to master ColdFusion may feel like venturing into the depths of Mordor, but fear not! We’ve assembled resources that will guide you through the treacherous lands of programming, much like Gandalf leading the way to victory.
With these tools in hand, you’ll be wielding ColdFusion as skillfully as Aragorn wields Andúril in no time.
Adobe ColdFusion Learn & Support
Explore the foundations of ColdFusion programming and stay abreast of the latest updates from Adobe, right here in the heart of Middleware-earth's technological realm.
Who’s it for?
Beginner CFers should start here to learn the basics of ColdFusion programming. Veterans should check-in to follow the latest updates from Adobe.
Pros: This is Adobe’s official website and resource on ColdFusion. Lots of ColdFusion Code examples are available as well.
Cons: Much of the content is woefully out-of-date, some of it going as far back as CF 2016.
Cost: Free.
Adobe ColdFusion Blog
Adobe’s ColdFusion scrolls are filled with deep knowledge from CF’s wisest sages.
Who’s it for?
It is a handy CFML tutorial for CF developers.
Pros: Adobe’s blogs offer useful information about using ColdFusion, updates, and organizations using it.
Cons: It does present Adobe's perspective on things. Much like the learn and support page, the content is often woefully out-of-date.
Cost: Free.
Adobe ColdFusion Certified Professional
Adobe Certified Professional: Adobe ColdFusion is an industry-leading certification program from Adobe, for ColdFusion developers. The course consists of 50+ online videos. Successfully passing an assessment test at the end of the program will reward participants with a badge and certificate from Adobe.
Who’s it for? Professionals who have basic to advanced level proficiency in any computer language and a basic understanding of how web pages work.
Pros: Very detailed, thoroughly explained tutorials.
Cons: Maybe slow-paced and not in-depth enough for some.
Cost: Starting at $149 (as of August 2024).
Community-Driven Learn CFML Programs
The ColdFusion community, much like the Fellowship of the Ring, is tight-knit and mighty. They traverse from the Shire of beginner tutorials to the Mount Doom of advanced coding techniques with ease and camaraderie. From so many excellent conferences to some other helpful resources, many people are happy to share their knowledge and talk to other developers and enthusiasts about CFML, Lucee, ColdBox, or any other topic.
One excellent example is from Teddy Tapawan, and this is what he said about ColdFusion when I met him at IntoTheBox Conference 2017:
Teddie Tapawan talks about IntoTheBox Conference experience, CF_Alive Podcast
Learn CF In A Week
Learn CF in a Week” is a community-driven initiative akin to a quick journey through the Mines of Moria, designed to equip you with the essential skills to become a ColdFusion Developer in just one week. Whether you aim to join the ranks of CF developers or simply wish to glean a basic understanding of ColdFusion, this program offers the knowledge you need.
Who’s it for?
This is for more experienced and advanced users and developers who need training for certification and jobs. However, it also offers useful information for CF enthusiasts and less proficient developers.
Pros: In their own words, this course will help you get hired and work as a professional ColdFusion developer.
Cons: None worth mentioning.
Cost: Free.
Quackit
This is a ColdFusion tutorial for beginners. If you already know the basics, it might serve as a friendly refresher for some features every once in a while. The 36 sections within the tutorial provide good information about CFML.
Who’s it for?
Beginners.
Pros: Nicely done interface with well-explained sections.
Cons: You need basic HTML knowledge before diving into this.
Cost: Free.
Ortus Solutions
Ortus has some of the most reliable, steadfast supports of CF – kind of ilke an army of Samwise Gamgees. And with the experience to boot!
Ortus has created multiple must-have CF tools, like ColdBox, CommandBox, TestBox and ContentBox Modular CMS. You can catch Ortus’s found Luis Majano and the guys at one of the CF Conferences throughout the year and chat and learn about CFML or have detailed training from them.
Who’s it for?
Even though beginners might find it useful, I suggest it to advanced CF developers.
Pros: On-site training and benefits that come with it, including saving time and focusing on topics that matter to your company, etc.
Cons: They're all very active in the community and at work, so you have to plan your training in advance if you want to have them train you and/or your team.
Cost: Prices upon request.
Learn Modern ColdFusion in 100 Minutes (Book by Ortus)
This tome catapults developers into the realm of ColdFusion <CFML> programming from a modern vantage point, emphasizing best practices, object orientation, and sophisticated tooling.
Who’s it for?
Beginners will find it a go-to source to start learning ColdFusion.
Pros: The price (free!) And for a free resource, it is very easy to navigate and learn from, with simple explanations showing just how easy it is to work with ColdFusion.
Cons: None.
Cost: Free, though you should consider supporting the open-source learning project.
ColdFusion Koans
The Koans help developers learn the CFML language, syntax, structure, as well as functions and libraries. It's like being guided by Gandalf through the mysteries of Middleware-earth.
Who’s it for?
Developers of varying skills.
Pros: Very well thought-out and comprehensive.
Cons: May be daunting for true beginners.
Cost: Free.
Webucator
This one is not only for CF developers. It offers training for other Adobe products, and also for Java, mobile programming, etc.
Who’s it for?
Beginners to advanced CFers — all are welcome!
Pros: Very good outline, with lots of information. Their beginners' classes get rave reviews from fledgling developers. Excellent online classes for those who don’t want to partake in or have time for on-site training.
Cons: The instructors are not listed. It would be helpful to know who’s training you and your team.
Cost: Uncertain. Requires a request for a quote.
CFDocs
CFDocs is the “UltraFast CFML Documentation Reference”. You can find support from developers and longtime CFers who are very active in the community. It's like having Gandalf on speed dial for all your ColdFusion questions!
Who’s it for?
Medium to advanced developers.
Pros: Very easy to find what you need. Easy urls like: cfdocs.org/hash – just hit /tag-name or /function-name. Lots of contributors and resources.
Cons: While many tags and functions show examples, many others do not offer any. (Remember, this is an open-source project, so you can contribute examples!)
Cost: Free.
Coldfusion Tutorial for Beginners – After Hours Programming
After Hours Programming is an open-source learning website.
Who’s it for?
Beginners.
Pros: Well explained. East to understand and you can immediately start your first line of CF code.
Cons: Limited learning resources and fewer contributors.
Cost: Free.
Try ColdFusion
The primary goal of this site is to make it as simple as possible to try CF.
Who’s it for?
Beginners.
Pros: Easy to start learning CFML.
Cons: Of limited use to more advanced developers.
Cost: Free.
Website: Try.CF
Pluralsight
This site’s “Introduction to ColdFusion” course teaches the basics of how to use ColdFusion and rapidly develop websites. Starting with the basics of ColdFusion Markup Language and moving on to common development language practices, the course continues to more advanced concepts. It's like starting in the Shire and journeying all the way to Mordor, but without the pesky orcs!
Who’s it for?
Nearly all CFers.
Pros: You get a 10-day free trial to see if it is suitable for your level of understanding.
Cons:The pace may be too fast for some.
Cost: $29 per month after 10-day free trial (as of August 2024).
Exercism
A free course with 51 exercises to help you master CFML.
Who’s it for?
Beginners and developers that fall in between medium and pro levels.
Pros: Several mentors and exercises increase the odds that CFers of all stripes will find it useful.
Cons: Few, if any.
Cost: Free.
CFML Experts
For those who seek the wisdom of the ages, ColdFusion experts stand ready, offering counsel and guidance to those just beginning their CF journey. These seasoned developers provide invaluable advice via their websites and consulting, ensuring you avoid the pitfalls of the programming world. With their mentorship, you’ll gain the strength and knowledge needed to face any coding challenge that comes your way.
Charlie Arehart
Charlie is a veteran of the CF community. He offers substantial free resources, such as his CF411.com (which itself has lists of free CF training resources and trainers), as well as his UGTV site and his blog. And while he offers paid CF troubleshooting, note that he also lists other CF troubleshooting consultants. (While Charlie can offer CF training, it’s no longer a primary focus of his.)
Who’s it for: Beginners and advanced level. I suggest using any of the many resources he offers for free and contacting Charlie if the free material didn’t answer your questions.
Pros: His many free resources offer a wealth of information to help folks at any level, and his troubleshooting consulting offers excellent custom-tailored sessions for you and/ or the whole team.
Cons/cost: Charlie’s consulting comes at a premium (expertise like his is well-earned from years of experience. If you first use the many free resources and still need help, he can generally solve problems very quickly (with satisfaction guaranteed).
Ben Nadel
The host of Working Code Podcast and the co-founder and a principal engineer at InVision App, Inc., Ben Nadel, regularly updates his blog with information that’s useful for all CFers.
Who’s it for?
Beginners and more proficient developers. His blog offers information on all things coding and CFML.
Pros: Well-versed in not just CFML but other niches, Ben’s a very informative person and valuable resource for everything new and interesting in the programmers’ world.
Cons: Requires a bit of digging if you have a specific topic or problem in mind.
Cost: Free.
Pete Freitag
Pete offers a hands-on ColdFusion Security Training class for developers. Enrollees will learn how to identify and fix security vulnerabilities in their ColdFusion applications.
Who’s it for?
All levels of CF developers.
Pros: Learn first hand from ColdFusion security expert Pete Freitag.
Cons: None.
Cost: Prices offered upon request.
ColdFusion Podcasts
If you’re in search of knowledge spoken by the voices of the wise, ColdFusion podcasts are your Palantír, offering insights from the most seasoned developers across the realm. These audio treasures bring you the latest news, tips, and stories from the world of ColdFusion. Tune in, and let these podcasts be your guide as you traverse the landscape of programming, one episode at a time.
CF Alive Podcast
ColdFusion Alive is the only podcast dedicated to helping CFers thrive in their jobs and growing the CF programmer community. Discover practices, tools, techniques, tips, trends and what is new in the world of ColdFusion today. Interviews with 60+ top CF experts such as Charlie Arehart, Nolan Erck, Luis Majano, and other top Adobe and Lucee executives who are setting the future direction of ColdFusion.
The podcast is well into its triple digits. Here’s our special 100th episode, a casual conversation around the Shire hearth about the CF Alive Revolution.
100 CF Alive (Revolution Retrospective) with Nolan Erck and Michaela Light
Cost: Free.
Modernize or Die Podcast
Modernize or Die ® is a trademarked ideal that Ortus Solutions lives daily. ColdFusion, often mistakenly thought of as a dead language, is alive and well. ColdFusion is not the same as it was 20 years ago. It's dynamic, vibrant, modern, fluent, and functional.
Cost: Free.
Webinars and Meetups
Gathering with fellow adventurers is key to any successful quest, and ColdFusion webinars and meetups let developers from all corners of the realm come together. These events, whether virtual or in person, provide the perfect opportunity to share knowledge, solve challenges, and forge alliances on your ColdFusion journey. Join in, and you’ll find the camaraderie and wisdom needed to navigate the ever-evolving world of ColdFusion.
FusionReactor Video Tutorials and Webinar Series
Learn CFML offers a series of bite-sized tutorials focused on very specific, common ColdFusion tasks and issues.
Who’s it for?
Advanced programmers.
Pros: Several ColdFusion veterans do a very good job of explaining all the details about the FusionReactor, as well as a video tutorial series that walks users through the platform.
Cons: Still none.
Cost: Free, must register.
ColdFusion User Groups
ColdFusion user groups are all over the world, letting CFers meet up or follow-up after meetings. If there's none in your area, note that there is the Online ColdFusion Meetup, a meeting that happens several times a year. The meetings are recorded if you can’t make the time to attend.
Who’s it for?
A wide range of CF users.
Pros: It’s great for networking, sharing and expanding your CF knowledge. It’s also good for topics that are not CFML but have some connection to it.
Cons: It may be hard to follow along if you’re not proficient in CFML.
Cost: Usually, meetings are free.
In conclusion, ColdFusion offers a vast and rich landscape for developers of all levels to explore and master. Whether you're a beginner just starting your journey or an advanced user looking to hone your skills, there are abundant resources to guide you. From Adobe's official training and certification programs to community-driven initiatives like Learn CF in a Week, and from the in-depth tutorials by Ortus Solutions to the engaging podcasts and webinars, the opportunities to learn and grow are vast, like the Middleware-earth itself.
The ColdFusion community also stands out with its willingness to share knowledge and support each other. Engaging with this community through user groups, meetups, and forums can significantly enhance your learning experience and keep you updated with the latest trends and best practices in CFML development.
Remember, mastering ColdFusion is an epic quest, not a sprint. Take advantage of the available resources, stay curious, and experiment. Remember to join the CF Alive fellowship with TeraTech and dive into the resources shared above. Your epic journey awaits! 🧙♂️
