Latest News from Tom Peer

Thinking Outside the Table PART 2

Tue, 14 Dec 2004 00:00:00 EST

A two-part series looks at techniques for shifting workload away from the application server and onto the database by using 'extra' database tables. It's just an average search - three full text indexes, ten subselects on many-to-many joins, and a bit of Pythagoras - to find results within 2km using latitude and longitude.

Thinking Outside the Table PART 1

Wed, 24 Nov 2004 00:00:00 EST

A two-part series looks at techniques for shifting workload away from the application server onto the database by using 'extra' database tables. Most ColdFusion programmers understand that when it comes to bulk inserting into a database, it isn't good practice to loop over text files one line at a time with a .

Why I Don't Use Flash

Fri, 30 Jan 2004 07:27:07 EST

When I started I was using Macromedia's Director. It was the most productive and definitely the most enjoyable stage of my career - we had a great tool to build great products. Sadly the CD-ROM market bombed as the novelty wore off, and as business began eyeing the Web with dollar signs in its eyes, I decided to get involved.-->

JavaScript Without the Headaches

Fri, 11 Jul 2003 00:00:00 EDT

Coding ColdFusion and coding JavaScript are about as far apart on the productivity spectrum as it's possible to be. CF tags are neat, easy to read, tolerant, and fun to write. JavaScript is none of that. It has all the drawbacks of traditional languages, with the added disadvantage of sitting somewhat awkwardly within the HTML document model.

Building SQL Front Ends with Article Manager

Tue, 22 Oct 2002 00:00:00 EDT

Given the number of applications available for developing database front ends, it might seem strange that the most popular method of doing it is using HTML and an application server. It's become apparent, however, that the Web offers something in terms of simplicity and familiarity that users value more than the added functionality that dedicated packages can bring.

Beyond CFMAIL

Fri, 28 Jun 2002 00:00:00 EDT

One of the reasons I was first drawn to ColdFusion was the built-in functionality for such things as sending e-mail, making HTTP requests, FTP uploads - all the myriad subsidiary functions you inevitably find yourself using when you build and manage large sites.

Back to Basics: When sites run into trouble, it's usually the database that's the problem, not ColdFusion

Mon, 08 Apr 2002 00:00:00 EDT

Cutting ColdFusion code is fun, and therein lies ColdFusion's biggest problem. It's too easy to get carried away writing code to do things that should be happening in the database itself - or often shouldn't be happening at all. It's also just too easy to use. You can get up and running far too quickly, and get into trouble even quicker. Sometimes experienced developers get carried away trying to do too much; beginners often start to run before they can walk.