Blog

Gavin Pickin

June 01, 2016

Spread the word


Share your thoughts

In previous posts we have talked about creating a ColdBox module from scratch ( ContentBox - Extending ContentBox 3 with your Own Custom Modules ), one file at a time, to see the minimum files required to make the module work. That was a great educational exercise, but lets look at another way to create a module, with CommandBox's ColdBox scaffholding commands. 


The Coldbox command inside of CommandBox  allows you to do a lot of things, including coldbox create for all of these items:

  • view
  • app-wizard
  • orm-virtual-service
  • unit
  • integration-test
  • interceptor-test
  • orm-entity
  • orm-service
  • app
  • interceptor
  • orm-event-handler
  • model
  • layout
  • handler
  • bdd
  • module
  • orm-crud
  • model-test
  • controller

We are of course interested in creating a module. Lets look at that command

#coldbox create module

The params for this command are the following:

  • name=            
  • author=          
  • authorURL=       
  • description=     
  • version=
  • modelNamespace=  
  • dependencies=    
  • directory=       
  • script=          

There is also a flag for script: --script

Lets create a module with the command, and see what it produces.
Note: Be in the root of your app so the command knows where to put the files. If you are in a subfolder, the command might get lost. 

coldbox create module name=customModule2 author="Gavin Pickin" authorURL="http://www.gpickin.com" description="Custom Module 2" version="1.2.3" cfmapping="customModule2Mapping" modelNamespace="customModuleName" directory="modules_app" script=true

 

Looking at the arguments in more detail

  • name=customModule2
  • author="Gavin Pickin"
  • authorURL="http://www.gpickin.com"
  • description="Custom Module 2"
  • version="1.2.3"
  • cfmapping="customModule2Mapping"
  • modelNamespace="customModuleName"
  • directory="modules_app"
  • script=true

The command outputs this:

Created C:\www\wwwplayground\modules_app/customModule2
Created C:\www\wwwplayground\modules_app\customModule2\handlers
Created C:\www\wwwplayground\modules_app\customModule2\handlers\Home.cfc
Created C:\www\wwwplayground\modules_app\customModule2\models
Created C:\www\wwwplayground\modules_app\customModule2\models\models_here.txt
Created C:\www\wwwplayground\modules_app\customModule2\ModuleConfig.cfc
Created C:\www\wwwplayground\modules_app\customModule2\views
Created C:\www\wwwplayground\modules_app\customModule2\views\home
Created C:\www\wwwplayground\modules_app\customModule2\views\home\index.cfm


Here is a visual display of the directory structure


You can see it creates a Module Config file with all your information ( click here to view the GIST ).
It creates a default handler, called Home.cfc in the handlers folder.
It creates a models folder, with just a placeholder file.
It creates a views folder, with the 'home' folder to match the handler, and creates a default index.cfm view.

It is a great way to get started. You can use many of the other coldbox commands to create additional handlers, views, layouts.
So next time you want to create a module, instead of remembering the conventions, and what files you need... just scaffold it with commandbox's coldbox create command.

Remember, these modules all work great with ContentBox, so what will you create?
 

Add Your Comment

(1)

Aug 09, 2016 08:16:13 UTC

by Dan OKeefe

When using commandbox to scaffold a module in contentbox, you would need to be in the root of the contentbox module for module_user?

Recent Entries

BoxLang 1.0.0 Beta 27 Launched

BoxLang 1.0.0 Beta 27 Launched

We are excited to bring you Beta 27 with enhanced XML handling, new CLI app support, improved error handling, and expanded interoperability with Java and CFML runtimes. We've also added new HTTP event hooks, improved caching strategies, and a streamlined class resolution process to make your applications more performant, even in debug modes.

Luis Majano
Luis Majano
January 31, 2025
Into the Box 2025 | Plan Your Trip With Us!

Into the Box 2025 | Plan Your Trip With Us!

Are you ready to join us for Into the Box 2025 from April 30th to May 2nd in Washington, D.C.? Let’s make your trip planning as smooth as possible. Here you’ll find Airfare discounts, Hotel Deals and fun things to do to the the best out of your trip to D.C.

Maria Jose Herrera
Maria Jose Herrera
January 30, 2025