Re: Future of Coldfusion

[Dave Cahall]

I would like to throw in my 2 cents on this one (especially since I just joined Allaire):   I think this move make a lot of sense for both companies.  Macromedia was in the process of developing their own server side processes and CF programmers have for a long time been trying to use more things like Flash and Generator to add some pizzazz to their web pages.  So - why not marry 2 outstanding product lines.  Additionally, Macromedia has a better name recognition factor than Allaire.   At the Developer Conference, Allaire outlined their product road map for 2001.  I do not think that road map will change.  So, Allaire is on a march to make their entire product line Java centric.  In a nutshell, this means making the ColdFusion and JRun engines a single (or at least integrated) server product (this is the full Pharaoh initiative). At that point, you will be able to write in CFML, JSP, Servlets & EJB.  All of the code will be compiled into Java Byte Code.  This means that even if you only know CFML, the product of your efforts will end up being Java.  However, if you know Java, you can write directly in it.    At least this is what was presented at the Developer Conference. The other things that was demonstrated was a facility code named Harpoon.  That tool was in reality some Macromedia Flash (FLA) files wrapped by some ColdFusion custom tags.  Harpoon will give you things like a calendar, calculator, grid control, tree control, and menu bar.  All of these will work with both ColdFusion AND JRun.  See a trend here!!  In addition, Macromedia demonstrated UltraDev 4 that also had some integration of ColdFusion, JRun and Flash/Generator.  See a trend here!!   IMHO: I do not see that it would be in the best interest of either Allaire or Macromedia to change that strategy (and, NO, I do not have any inside information). Yes, a lot of us would like to have seen some of this a year ago, but I think the whole thing that is going on here is VERY positive.   To answer Lorri's original question, look at what is in the future here.  You can write Java code without being a Java guru.  If all goes as planned, you can write in the tool that you are comfortable with and have Java byte code that can be executed by any platform that has a Java Virtual machine.