Spectra Training : Spectra for Developers

Macromedia Spectra for Developers is a 5-day course that provides experienced ColdFusion Application Developers with the knowledge and hands-on practice they need to build, maintain, and scale effective Spectra applications. Participants will learn to plan Spectra applications, work with content objects, create custom publishing rules, automated processes, and workflows. Content searching and optimizing performance are also covered.

To gain the most from this class, you should already have:

• Have completed the Fast Track to ColdFusion course or have equivalent experience in building ColdFusion applications
• Have completed the Advanced ColdFusion Development course or have equivalent experience in building ColdFusion applications
• Or:
• Have at least one year of development and deployment experience with ColdFusion applications, including work with arrays, structures, creating CFML custom tags, and WDDX

Upon completion of this course, you should be able to:

• Understand the Macromedia Spectra architecture
• Understand how the spectrum of participants will interact through Macromedia Spectra
• Create a basic Macromedia Spectra site for content management and commerce
• Perform site design tasks
• Perform system design tasks

Unit 1: Course Overview

• Course Prerequisites
• Lesson Format
• Course Objectives

Unit 2: Introducing Macromedia Spectra

• Macromedia Spectra and ColdFusion
• Understanding the Macromedia Spectra Architecture
• Understanding the COAPI Model

Unit 3: Planning Macromedia Spectra Applications

• Methodology Considerations
• Modeling an Macromedia Spectra Application

Unit 4: Introducing Basic Macromedia Spectra Application Components

• Macromedia Spectra Application Components
• Display Layer
• Process Layer
• Data Access Layer

Unit 5: Working with Page Templates and Custom Tags

• Methodology Considerations
• Creating Reusable Site Components as Custom Tags
• Creating Page Templates

Unit 6: Working with the Site Object Model

• Methodology Considerations
• Creating Object Types
• Creating and Invoking Content Objects

Unit 7: Creating Object Type Handlers

• Understanding Handlers for Object Types
• Creating Type Handlers

Unit 8: Creating Content Objects Using External Data Sources

• Working with External Data
• Importing External Data to Create Content Objects
• Creating a Type that References External Data

Unit 9: Using Embedded Objects

• Understanding Embedded Objects
• Using Fully Embedded Objects
• Using Shared Embedded Objects

Unit 10: Working with Basic Process Logic Paths

• Creating a Multi-Step Process
• Working with the DDO
• Modifying PLP Handlers
• Instantiating PLPs
• Understanding Scopes and Dumping

Unit 11: Working with Containers

• Working with Containers in the Page Layout Model
• Embedding Containers in a Page
• Creating Content Objects via Designmode
• Using the Schedule Content Publishing Rule
• Reusing Containers on Multiple Pages

Unit 12: Using SQL Searching

• Making Properties SQL Searchable
• Using SQL Searches

Unit 13: Using Verity Searching

• Making Properties Verity Searchable
• Managing Verity Indexes
• Using Verity Searches

Unit 14: Implementing Hierarchies, Categories, and Keywords

• Categorizing Objects
• Implementing Hierarchies, Categories, and Keywords
• Using Metadata to Locate Content Items

Unit 15: Building Custom Publishing Rules for Personalization

• Understanding How Publishing Rules are Applied
• Creating Custom Rules
• Coding Rule Edit, Update, and Execute Handlers
• Using Publishing Rules in Pages
• Publishing Content Based on Type Definitions
• Publishing Content Based on Metadata

Unit 16: Creating Workflow Definitions

• Understanding Workflow Management
• Creating Workflow Tasks
• Creating Workflow Specification
• Using Workflow Handlers
• Using Inline Styles

Unit 17: Optimizing Application Performance

• Using Debugging Tools to Identify Performance Bottlenecks
• Caching Pages
• Caching a Container