< CFcoffee />

Now I am getting more to grips with CB I have recreated an ecommerce site using the framework. I have also created a simple plugin for the Coldbox Framework that allows you to integrate SagePay VSP Direct payment system in your website. It seems to work very well the site I used it on has been running the new plugin for few days, taking transactions with no errors.

In case you don't know, SagePay VSP Direct is a method of processing a transaction through the Sage Pay gateway using server to server communication with the customer remaining on your website throughout the whole process.

This plugin will setup, send and handle the response from their gateway. You will need an understanding of Sagepay and a SSL cert to use this plugin. Sage Pay only support UK merchants at the moment!

I will be adding some example of the handler, checkout forms, and cart to a zip download soon at the moment all I have included the plugin CFC code below.

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The ColdBox Framework is fast becoming enjoyable to work with, which came as a surprise for me. Having now completed 4 projects in CB I have decided to start writing up on some of my experiences so far.

The first write-up starts at the beginning! By that I mean things I found useful when first starting a CB project. Its not a deep read into CB just some random stuff that helped me out when first starting with the Framework.

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The last few months I have been taking some advice and learning some more frameworks. ColdBox was suggested because it's hugely documented for beginners like me. I don't have a natural ability to learn new concepts easily like some of my CF/JAVA friends. Many years ago I came into this job from a JAVA background. But still OO words like encapsulation inheritance and polymorphism bring back memories of late nights at University trying to get my head around advanced JAVA 2.0 before exams in the morning. I have always liked to think I stick to design patterns and some OO concepts mainly on re-usability, but I don't, and it's noticeably more (to myself) after using ColdBox.

That's why I just wanted to make a quick post on how easy and enjoyable ColdBox framework was to play with. I am not a huge fan of frameworks when they make things more complex than they need to be. I believe there is a time and a place for a full blown framework. Model Glue is still our main choice as a company on projects with 3+ developers, but ColdBox was soooooooo much fun to play with. Ok, it took me 2 weeks to REALLY understand the docs, but at some point you have that moment where everything comes together. The docs are great the forum is great, and if I can do it, anyone can.

I am not saying that's it, I have a lot more to learn and I am sure ColdBox has a lot more to give. I am still yet contemplating CB for an actual project but now I have not doubt it will save us time.