We recently built an API in ColdFusion to tie in multiple applications. It can be called/accessed either as a Web Service or as a "normal".
We created a wrapper which acts as the interface between the actual cfc's. We defined our own XML in and out packets which are validated on entry by an XSD. Essentially the API can be accessed by any language which can call a web service and send/recieve XML. The XML (in) contains the component you want to call, the method and the required arguments for that method (you get warned if you try and pass in bad or required ones) - the gateway then concerts that call into a ColdFusion object, does the necessary object instantiation and sends the results back in the required/defined XML format - which essentially the original call, but with the status of the call and the results appended. It is fully portable in that anyone could effectively run with it now just by adding their own CFCs to the library. Only pitfalls we ran into were off Application.cfc oddities and having to pass XML as string objects so other languages could call the WS. Hth "This e-mail is from Reed Exhibitions (Oriel House, 26 The Quadrant, Richmond, Surrey, TW9 1DL, United Kingdom), a division of Reed Business, Registered in England, Number 678540. It contains information which is confidential and may also be privileged. It is for the exclusive use of the intended recipient(s). If you are not the intended recipient(s) please note that any form of distribution, copying or use of this communication or the information in it is strictly prohibited and may be unlawful. If you have received this communication in error please return it to the sender or call our switchboard on +44 (0) 20 89107910. The opinions expressed within this communication are not necessarily those expressed by Reed Exhibitions." Visit our website at http://www.reedexpo.com -----Original Message----- From: Stephen Adams To: CF-Talk Sent: Tue Sep 12 10:33:21 2006 Subject: Creating an API with coldfusion Hi, I'm thinking of developing an API for all the coldfusion work I'm doing at work. I want to have a series of base components which I can reuse in multiple projects. For example I want to have a baseLogin.cfc, which handles some common functionality for all logins. Then in a clients site I want to have a clientLogin.cfc which extends baseLogin.cfc. Has anyone done anything similar? What problems are there to look out for, how did you structure your API? I'm looking to see if anyone has any tips on doing this. I've searched around for articles and blog posts on this subject, but I can't find much. Stephen ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~| Introducing the Fusion Authority Quarterly Update. 80 pages of hard-hitting, up-to-date ColdFusion information by your peers, delivered to your door four times a year. http://www.fusionauthority.com/quarterly Archive: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/message.cfm/messageid:252824 Subscription: http://www.houseoffusion.com/groups/CF-Talk/subscribe.cfm Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/cf_lists/unsubscribe.cfm?user=89.70.4
