coldfusion and c++

[kaebee]

I have a c++ program that I need to write to my coldfusion page. Is there
specific tag I need to use in my coldfusion page that will recognize the c++
variables? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[BSterner]

Look at using a custom cfx tag.

[url]http://livedocs.macromedia.com/coldfusion/7/htmldocs/wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/html/wwhelp.htm?context=ColdFusion_Documentation&file=0 0001101.htm[/url]

hth

[kaebee]

I have gone through that document many times and am still confused.

Let's say I have a variable called bid in my c++ code. When I pass it to my
cf page, how would I recognize that variable that is being passed? An example
of the code would be extremely helpful. Or could you explane how custom tags
work?

[BSterner]

Did you read this article on using the Coldfusion tag wizard? Are you trying
to develop this on a windows or *nix machine? If it's the former, I'm afraid I
won't be much help as I do not have/use Microsoft Visual C++.

[kaebee]

Originally posted by: BSterner
Did you read this article on using the Coldfusion tag wizard?


[url]http://www.intermedia.net/support/ColdFusion/CF5docs/Developing_ColdFusion_Appli[/url]
cations/CFXTags7.html

Are you trying to develop this on a windows or *nix machine? If it's the
former, I'm afraid I won't be much help as I do not have/use Microsoft Visual
C++.

Thanks for your response. I am developing this on a unix machine.

I will read that article about the Tag Wizard. I am a total newbie at this
and I haven't been able to find any documentation about what these tags
actually do. So, I create this custom tag. Then what? Do I need to put
something in my c++ code as well as my .cfm page? I just need the data that is
passed from my c++ code to display in my .cfm page. From there, I am done with
the c++ code and will do some db processing with the data. How would a custom
tag look in my .cfm page?

Thanks again for the response. I am pulling my hair out over here. I guess I
just don't know where to begin.

[BSterner]

These tags extend Coldfusion by allowing you to leverage code written in C++ or
Java. Sometimes, it makes more sense for an applicaion to do the "heavy
lifting" in C++ or Java or you may have existing code you wish to leverage.
The tags allow you to pass data back and forth between CF and your application.

Steps
1) Create the C++ shared object file. I would recommend using the template
'request.cc' found in: [cf_install_root]cfx\examples\directorylist\unix

How you call your current application (Be it an exe or dll) is for you to
determine. You may need to recompile it or link it to the so library.

Use the Makefile in the appropriate *nix sub-directory under the
aforementioned unix folder. You may need to modify the "Include" path in your
makefile based on where you create your .so.

2) Register the so file via the Coldfusion Administrator by using the "CFX
Tags" link. You will prefix the name with "cfx_" and then whatever you want
(We'll call it "cfx_MyApp" for example).

3) In your coldfusion page you call the tag as follows:

<cfx_MyApp arg1="Some value" arg2="Some other value">

Where "arg1" and "arg2" are the tag attributes you pass to your c++ program,
if needed. You use the "GetRequiredAttribute" routine in your C++ app to
access these arguments.

Take a look at this page for specifics on how expose the Classes/functions in
the CFX API.


[url]http://livedocs.macromedia.com/coldfusion/7/htmldocs/wwhelp/wwhimpl/common/html/[/url]
wwhelp.htm?context=ColdFusion_Documentation&file=0 0000784.htm#1098874

Specifically, I would look at the "CCFXRequest class" & the "CCFXStringSet
class" links.

hth