How to Parse Lots of Data With ColdFusion

ColdFusion is an Internet programming language based on the HTML standard that can create various Internet applications using the rapid scripting environment server provided by ColdFusion's developer, Adobe. One way to use ColdFusion to create a unique website is by writing code in ColdFusion Markup Language (CFML) that parses data into easy-to-read tables or other entries. Parsing large data files can slow down ColdFusion, although there are coding alternatives that speed up the process.

Instructions

1

Create a data file that includes all the data you want to parse through ColdFusion. You must choose a data format for the file, such as JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) or comma-separated value (CSV). The data format chosen for the data file ends up dictating how to use ColdFusion to parse the data.

2

Find the proper ColdFusion tag that will parse the data through your website. For example, JSON data requires the tag "jQuery" in ColdFusion; jQuery is specifically for converting JavaScript data into HTML script. CSV data that comes from another website can be parsed into query objects with ColdFusion using the tag "CFHTTP."

3

Construct the ColdFusion code necessary to parse the large data file using the parsing tag you've identified. You'll also need to set any necessary attributes within the ColdFusion code, such as name, variable, data source or action.

For large data files, you'll need to construct ColdFusion code that limits the resources used to parse the data. Normally, ColdFusion uploads an entire data file to its online server before parsing the data. Through online message boards, ColdFusion users have reported running out of virtual memory when attempting to parse data files larger than 100 megabytes. ColdFusion 8 supports the tag "cffile file=" that, when used with the attribute tag "index," tells ColdFusion to upload the file one line at a time. This saves virtual memory for other necessary processes.

4

Insert the ColdFusion programming script into your HTML code. Make sure the placement of the ColdFusion parsing script reflects where you want it to appear on your Web page. Publish the website to the Internet or save it as a local file on your computer.

5

Test your website and the ColdFusion code you inserted. With a Web browser, visit the online website or type in the address for the local file saved on your computer. If the query object returned doesn't reflect the way you wanted the data file to be parsed, adjust the tag or attributes accordingly.