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An Architect's View

Fusebox 5

January 23, 2006 · 13 Comments

Work on the next generation Fusebox application framework is just about to begin. Hal and John have asked me to put together a small team to work on Fusebox 5 and we've been discussing the overall guidelines for this new version. This is primarily an architectural release - we're aiming for backward-compatibility with Fusebox 4.1 - but looking to rebuild the core files to make future maintenance easier. That's not to say there won't be new features in Fusebox 5 but I want to set the expectation that this is not going to be a free-for-all expansion of the framework. Fusebox 4.1 is a very stable, mature framework that has a lot of powerful features. There are some limitations in the current grammar which I'd like to see addressed in Fusebox 5 and a few areas where I'd like to see some increased functionality. Fusebox 5 for ColdFusion will take advantage of CFCs to provide a more structured, more easily maintained set of core files. That is about all that has been decided so far. If you'd like to discuss your vision of Fusebox and your desires for the future of the framework, please feel free to join the Fusebox 5 mailing list. The core development team will be very small initially and when we feel comfortable with the new code base, we will extend an alpha testing invitation to a slightly larger (but, again, relatively small) group of Fuseboxers and gradually expand from there.

Tags: coldfusion · fusebox

13 responses so far ↓

  • 1 Roger Lancefield // Jan 23, 2006 at 5:27 PM

    This is great news, really pleased to hear this. Can't wait to see the discussion of possible tweaks and framework consolidation measures on the list.
  • 2 Sami Hoda // Jan 23, 2006 at 5:57 PM

    Looking forward to learning more abt FB 5!
  • 3 Mike Tangorre // Jan 23, 2006 at 6:30 PM

    Awesome! Be sure to slip me an early release when it's "available" :-)
  • 4 Mike Brunt // Jan 23, 2006 at 7:15 PM

    Hiya Sean, I just joined the mail list using an old old yahoo handle "MediaEmbeeYH". Just letting you know in case you wondered who the hell that is.
  • 5 Mark Drew // Jan 24, 2006 at 12:41 AM

    sounds like a great and interesting idea!

    MD
  • 6 Damien // Jan 24, 2006 at 6:38 AM

    With a move to a more CFC-based structure, is the goal to make it require CFMX7 or will 6.1 remain compatible?
  • 7 Sean Corfield // Jan 24, 2006 at 7:18 AM

    Damien, the intent is to be 6.1 compatible. A CFC-based core will be more maintainable for future enhancements to the framework.
  • 8 Stephen Cassady // Jan 24, 2006 at 12:13 PM

    Building almost everything in FB now - I'm very excited about the continual evolution of the product. Don't be driven by "popular", be driven by "good framework expansion". Yum Yum!
  • 9 Mike Tangorre // Jan 25, 2006 at 5:35 AM

    Sean,

    Who approves access to the FB5 mailing list? I know a couple of us have signed up but got the "pending approval" message. I was just curious as to who is determining who gets access..

    Thanks!

    Mike
  • 10 Roger Lancefield // Jan 25, 2006 at 6:06 AM

    I had to sweat it out for a day or so Mike, but I was granted access to the inner sanctum eventually! :)

    I'm sure once the list maintainer has finished his or her real work for the day, they'll find time to approve the next batch of sign-ups.
  • 11 Sean Corfield // Jan 25, 2006 at 9:44 AM

    JCQ is the sole moderator for the fusebox5 list at present.
  • 12 Sami Hoda // Jan 25, 2006 at 9:53 AM

    Yup, I signed up when there was just one member, and am still awaiting word on membership. Any specific criteria for membership?
  • 13 Sean Corfield // Jan 25, 2006 at 10:33 AM

    JCQ approved 15 people yesterday I think. At the moment the list is set to "moderator only" so you can't post. We're fixing that. This list was originally going to be for the core dev team, hence the closed nature, but I felt it would be less confusing if it mirrored fusebox4@... and became the public list. Give us a few days and we'll be firing on all cylinders here! :)

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