Switch to Adobe ColdFusion (CIO’s Guide on Risks and Reward)

You want to switch to a newer, more modern version of ColdFusion. But you’re having some doubts. Memories of install wizards turning evil and sabotaging your updates give you nightmares.

Don’t back out! 

Switching to the 2018 update of ColdFusion is painless. Use the outline in this guide and a few clicks to go from legacy CF hell to modern CF heaven.

In this article, you will learn:

1. Where to find Adobe ColdFusion’s modern version.
2. Which version of CF is right for you.
3. System specs needed to use CF.
4. Setting the stage for installing.
5. Migrating your existing CFML to CF 2018.

Where to find Adobe ColdFusion

Finding the latest version of Adobe ColdFusion may be the easiest part of the entire process. You may have already Googled your way to the location. If not, check out the “buy now” link at the top of page here.

Still hesitant? Give ColdFusion a test drive first! Adobe offers a 30-day free trial for anyone on the fence. Trying it will convince you and your team that ColdFusion is the only logical fit.

The fun doesn’t end with the installer. ColdFusion has a bevy of extra goodies, such as performance monitoring tools, an API manager, and tons of other digital gadgets. Be sure to check the add-ons and developer tools available to get the most out of your ColdFusion.

ColdFusion Standard or Enterprise?

Adobe offers ColdFusion in two main flavors: Standard and Enterprise. It may seem Standard edition is a one-size-fits-all solution for everyone. But you’re wrong. Each has its own ideal user.

Standard Edition offers all the essentials a small to mid-sized company would need from its development platform. Start-ups should stick with Standard Edition too, at least until they’ve ballooned into the next big IPO.
Standard edition comes with the basic features one needs to get applications off the ground. It includes a full slate of mobile development necessities, including Client-side database integration and device detection.
Standard is ideal for start-ups and mid-sized companies with only a few apps in the works.

Enterprise is Standard Edition’s big sibling, meant for large companies with ample overhead and infrastructure to maintain. Unlike Standard, Enterprise has a full stack of API Management tools, and full support for all gateways and document services. Among others.

Remember, you can always start with standard edition then scale up to Enterprise Edition as your company grows.

Can my system handle ColdFusion?

Remember ye olde days, when you’d pick up a piece of software in a box, flip it over and scan the system requirements list?

You’d have your own specs memorized, then compare them to those listed on the table. Inevitably, you’d encounter that dreadful day when your machines couldn’t handle modern software.

Well, don’t fret. ColdFusion is a lightweight, low-calorie platform. It won’t hog too many system resources or consume copious amounts of data on your hard disk. Most modern computers, regardless of operating system, should handle CF. 

You’ll need:

• 2 GB of RAM 

• 4GB of space on your hard disk, regardless of the OS

• Windows (64-bit) — A version of Windows Server from 2012 to 2016

• Linux — Any version released since CentOS Linux 7.5

• Mac — OS X v10.13 and higher

Don’t worry about backwards compatibility either. CF 2018 plays nice with earlier versions of ColdFusion going all the way back to CF 9.

The installation process

Preparing to install

This part is key! Set the stage for making the switch to the modern ColdFusion right away and the installation will be effortless.

You must:

• Know your various CF server profiles. They’re not all the same.
• Keep the webroots of:
  1. Database
  2. Custom Tags CFXtags
  3. Fonts
• Transfer over the above three items after the installation.

How to migrate

The installation process itself shouldn’t take too long. (Grab a mug of tea to keep you company.)

Ready? Let’s go!

• Install the latest version of CF using one of the links provided.
• Follow the migration wizard that opens on your screen thoroughly. Keep this PDF somewhere nearby.
• Migrate the server environment, including user configurations.
• Move over CF settings.
• Shift user-created and deployed apps.
• The following items migrate as part of the process: 
  1. Encryption
  2. Charting
  3. Client store
  4. Datasources
  5. Debugging
  6. Event Gateways  
  7. Fonts
  8. Logging
  9. Mail
  10. Solr Settings
  11. Monitoring
  12. Probes
  13. Runtime
  14. Scheduled Tasks
  15. Security Sandboxes  
  16. Web Services
  17. Rest Services
  18. Websocket

Training your team

So you’ve switched over to the most modern version of ColdFusion. But what about the developers on your team? Some of them may be versed in Java, while others may understand a tag-based programming language.

What would it take to turn the rest of your group into CFML Jedi Knights?

Easy! Check out my Comprehensive ColdFusion training list. Or your staff can use the crash course on Learn CF In A Week, which we discussed on my ColdFusion Alive podcast.
Run them through the ringer with these two guides and they’ll be kicking around CFCs and CFML tags like pros.

What are the risks of switching?

You might still worry about the risks of switching to ColdFusion. We’ve dissected many of the misconceptions already. They can keep you using an outdated version of ColdFusion — or worse yet, another development platform.

Beware. Inertia is a hell of a drug. Still, you may need a brief bit of cajoling. So here:

• Technological risks: Adobe will support CF 2018 until 2025.

• Economic risks: Using older versions of CF can hurt your company’s finances in the long term.

• Security risks: The latest version of CF has a full set of security patches and tools to keep you safe from hackers.

Switching to the most modern version of ColdFusion is easier than you’d expect. The tools Adobe built into the installer cuts short many of the headaches associated with migrations or updates.
Make sure your system can work with CF, pick the right version, then fire up the installer. You won’t regret it.

Join the CF Alive revolution

Discover how we can all make CF more alive, modern and secure this year. Join other ColdFusion developers and managers in the CF Alive Inner Circle today.

• Get early access to the CF Alive book and videos
• Be part of a new movement for improving CF's perception in the world.
• Contribute to the CF Alive revolution
• Connect with other CF developers and managers
• There is no cost to membership.