Overview

ColdFusion Builder is a commercial IDE used to create server-side Internet applications. It is built on the Eclipse open source platform, the same software that powers Adobe’s Flash Builder application. ColdFusion Builder includes several built-in tools for visually generating application components without having to manually write program code. It also tightly integrates with the ColdFusion server software, and can be used to deploy finished applications to production servers.

User Interface

The ColdFusion Builder interface can be customized into different workspace layouts, called “perspectives.” Each perspective allows developers to customize the IDE for a specific development purpose, such as Web page design, programming, or deployment. The interface can automatically change perspectives as developers switch between projects and file types.

Capabilities

ColdFusion Builder's IDE (Integrated Development Environment) includes several productivity tools for developing ColdFusion applications. The source code editor provides syntax highlighting, smart popups, code completion, and other built-in intelligence features. The Web browser view displays previews of the current application while it is being developed. Additionally, several wizards are included for generating program modules, such as Object to Relational Mapping (ORM) code and other database components.

ColdFusion Builder provides tools for managing local and remote ColdFusion servers. A built-in panel displays the available servers and includes controls for starting and stopping each server. The panel also allows developers to view ColdFusion server logs and provides menu options for launching server monitors and administration pages. If necessary, developers may configure multiple servers for a single project. For example, a Web project may be set up to use both development and production servers.

Since ColdFusion is Eclipse-based, developers can extend the IDE with third-party plugins (or "extensions") available to the Eclipse community. Adobe also includes a framework that allows developers to create plugins using the ColdFusion Markup Language (CFML) even though Eclipse plugins are natively written in Java.

User Community

ColdFusion Builder is used by Web developers and programmers for creating ColdFusion server applications. Adobe provides a free developer’s version of the ColdFusion server software to ColdFusion Builder users, which allows developers to write and test code without paying additional license fees. Users can share ColdFusion projects at the RIAForge online community website.

Screenshots:

New Project

Source Code Editing

Preferences

Features:

• Customizable Eclipse-based development environment
• Intelligent source code productivity tools for CFML, HTML, JavaScript, and CSS
• Supports CFML-based IDE extensions
• Tightly integrates with ColdFusion servers
• Supports previews within Internet Explorer, Firefox, and Safari Web browsers
• Integrates with Microsoft Office, Sharepoint, and Exchange Server
• Includes Adobe Flash Builder

System Requirements:

Mac OS

• Mac OS X 10.6 or later
• Intel processor
• 1GB RAM
• 1.5GB free disk space
• Java Virtual Machine (32 or 64 bit): Oracle JRE 1.6
• DVD-ROM drive
• Eclipse 3.6.2 for plug-in installation

Windows

• Windows XP w/ SP3, Vista Ultimate or Enterprise, or Windows 7
• 2GHz processor
• 1GB RAM
• 1.5GB free disk space
• Java Virtual Machine (32 or 64 bit): Oracle JRE 1.6
• DVD-ROM drive
• Eclipse 3.6.2 plug-in installation