Selecting among ColdFusion code reuse methods
The
following table lists common reasons to employ code reuse methods
and indicates the techniques to consider for each purpose. The letter P indicates
that the method is preferred. (There can be more than one preferred
method.) The letter A means that the method provides an alternative
that is useful in some circumstances.
This table does not include CFX tags. You use CFX tags only when
it is best to code your functionality in C++ or Java. For more information
about using CFX tags, see Using CFX tags.
Purpose
|
cfinclude tag
|
Custom tag
|
UDF
|
Component
|
|---|
Provide code, including CFML, HTML, and
static text, that must be used in multiple pages.
|
P
|
|
|
|
Deploy headers and footers.
|
P
|
|
|
|
Include one page in another page.
|
P
|
|
|
|
Divide pages into smaller units.
|
P
|
|
|
|
Use variables from a calling page.
|
A
|
P
|
P
|
|
Implement code that uses recursion.
|
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
Distribute your code to others.
|
|
P
|
P
|
P
|
Operate on a body of HTML or CFML text.
|
|
P
|
|
|
Use subtags.
|
|
P
|
|
|
Provide a computation, data manipulation,
or other procedure.
|
|
A
|
P
|
|
Provide a single functional element that
takes any number of input values and returns a (possibly complex)
result.
|
|
A
|
P
|
|
Use variables with names that change from
use to use.
|
|
A
|
P
|
P
|
Provide accessibility from Flash clients.
|
|
A
|
A
|
P
|
Use built-in user security features.
|
|
|
A
|
P
|
Encapsulate multiple related functions and properties.
|
|
|
|
P
|
Create web services.
|
|
|
|
P
|
Implement object-oriented coding methodologies.
|
|
|
|
P
|
