ColdFusion MX is a Web Application Server that delivers CFML (ColdFusion Markup Language) based scripts written by developers. The first release of ColdFusion following Macromedia's merger with Allaire Corporation was version 5.

CFML is a tag based, server-side scripting language that allows both beginning and advanced developers to create complete applications for deployment through the Web. The language contains built in tags and functions simplifying many developmental needs; such as presenting and collecting form data; integrating that data with a database (ColdFusion includes native support for ODBC, OLE-DB, and with the new MX version, JDBC connectivity); or sending and receiving E-mail (through support for POP and SMTP). Advanced developers can integrate CFML applications with existing enterprise apps through ColdFusion's support for COM, CORBA, and EJB (Enterprise JavaBeans); and additionally can extend the script language's functionality by creating used-defined functions--either by using CFML itself or integrating 3rd party extensions written in C/C++ or Java. Macromedia boasts thousands of such components are available in their ColdFusion Development Center.

Originally available only as an independent application server, the latest release of ColdFusion (ColdFusion MX) sports an architecture allowing it to be deployed as a stand alone application server or on top of existing Java application servers. Optimized versions of ColdFusion MX for IBM WebSphere, Sun ONE, Macromedia JRun, and BEA WebLogic are expected later this year. Additional new functionality allows developers to create reusable "ColdFusion Components" that can be packaged and accessed as Web services or by Flash MX clients via the new Macromedia Flash Remoting service, a native service within ColdFusion MX. Native XML, server-side ActionScript (which can also be used to send remote components to Flash clients), and page compilation support are also all new with MX.

Note that while ColdFusion Server handles the deployment and running of CFML based scripts, Macromedia sells separate tools for the development of those applications. Most of the tools previously available separately (ColdFusion Studio and Dreamweaver Ultradev) are now a part of the newly announced Dreamweaver MX; however, HomeSite remains available as a standalone product.

The server is offered in two general flavors: the standalone ColdFusion MX Server line, and the ColdFusion MX for J2EE Application Servers.

Visit the Macromedia Web site for further information, including upgrade pricing and feature comparisons between the available versions.

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