Neptune: New Framework for the New Year
Many years ago, I was copying an application from one site to another. The task seemed simple enough, but it was taking a long time. First I had to copy the code. Then I had to create the tables/columns/primary keys. Then I had to create any folders being used to store uploaded file (or if they were part of the application, delete any uploaded files from the folders that I copied). Then I had to change the look of the program to match the site to which I was copying it.
I remember thinking that it should be easier. I resolved that I could make a "Ten Minute Install". The goal turned out to be a bit harder than I imagined at the time (though not nearly ambitious enough in the long run).
Years later, however, this would be a major piece of my framework. Except instead of a "ten minute install" I have about a ten second install. To copy a Neptune program from one site to another just requires copying the folder that holds the program and then browsing to it.
By doing that, the files are copied and the tables/columns/primary keys (and optionally some data) are created. It will also set up folders for uploaded files and run any custom installation code. The program will automatically use any settings (including appearance) on the new site.
Thanks for the kind words! That was exactly what I was aiming for.
Let me know how it goes - plenty of room still for improvement, I'm sure.
It looks like that is a base class that is used by _Config.Program.cfc.
The config one is created automatically, so is the BaseProgram component supposed to as well?
I went ahead and fixed that and included a few other small updates. I'll call this "1.0 Beta 1.1" (not enough new stuff to call it "Beta 2"). Thanks for the catch!
Just as an aside, Neptune will write files to the "/_config/" folder as needed and to the "/f/" folder (or where you specify) when files are uploaded, but won't ever touch other folders. This allows you to limit write access everywhere else.
Sorry for the trouble.
One favourite successor for the onTap/dataFaucet couple in the ColdFusion world is the MuraCMS.
And then - all of a sudden - the Neptune Framework has popped up ...
I have several questions wrt this new ColdFusion Framework:
- How come that its documentation resembles the documentation of the onTap Framework ?
- Does it offer something along the lines of onTap's "MoT (Members onTap)" plugin ?
- Is the Neptune Framework already a viable alternative to the onTap Framework and/or the MuraCMS ?
Great questions!
1) I looked at a lot of documentation and I really liked the format of the onTap Framework, so I did a bit of imitation there. I actually meant to mention the intentional imitation in the docs, but it looks like I didn't get around to that. I will try to correct that later.
2) Nope - nothing like "MoT (Members onTap)" (at least going by your description). That sounds like a fun project though.
The closest would be "Admins", but it isn't fine-grained at all.
http://www.bryantwebconsulting.com/blog/index.cfm/...
3) "Readiness" is actually a tough question to answer.
We have been using it on sites for a couple of years now. I would say Neptune is used (in some form) on several dozen sites.
It has only been public, however, for a very short time. Already I have gotten feedback that has caused me to think about making some not-insignificant changes. That is likely to continue.
I do have a CMS for Neptune that actually predates the framework and has been used on several dozen sites as well. It isn't public at all yet, however, so lots of feedback to come. It certainly isn't nearly as aesthetically pleasing as Mura and likely won't be for some time (if ever).