Introduction
In ColdFusion, the <cflayout> tag provides a way to create dynamic, interactive, and responsive layouts for web applications. One useful feature in this context is the splitter, which allows users to resize different layout sections, improving usability and giving more control over how information is displayed on the screen. This tutorial explains how to implement a border-type layout in ColdFusion with splitters in each area using the <cflayout> and <cflayoutarea> tags. We'll examine how each section of the code contributes to building a flexible, resizable interface suitable for many types of applications.
The example code provided shows how to create a border-type layout with resizable panels on each side. By the end of this breakdown, you’ll understand how to apply this layout and enhance user interactions by enabling splitters in different areas of the interface.
Setting Up the Border Layout
The <cflayout> tag is used here to create the main structure of the layout, with the type="border" attribute indicating that it will follow a border layout model. The border layout divides the interface into five possible sections: top, left, center, right, and bottom. These sections act as containers for content and can be arranged to suit different interface requirements.
In this example, the <cflayout> tag specifies a fixed height and width (height="400px" and width="650px") to contain the layout within a defined space. Additional styling options, such as text-align:center, help in positioning content within each area. This initial setup defines the overall structure within which each section or "pane" will fit.
Creating Resizable Layout Areas with Splitters
The layout areas are defined using <cflayoutarea> tags. Each area has a name, a position, and an optional splitter attribute. In this example, there are five areas: top, left, center, right, and bottom, which correspond to the five sections of a border layout.
The splitter="true" attribute is applied to the top, left, right, and bottom areas, allowing users to resize these sections. This feature provides flexibility in adjusting the space allocated to each section. For example, the left panel could be used to hold navigation elements, and by enabling the splitter, users can adjust its width to make it more or less prominent as needed.
Center Layout Area
The center section, created by the <cflayoutarea> tag with position="center", typically serves as the main content area in a border layout. In this example, the center area displays an image, adding a visual component to the layout. This center area does not have the splitter attribute enabled, meaning it will remain a static size within the layout. This setup is typical in border layouts, where the central section is usually the focal point and often remains unchanged in size.
Adding Visual Customization and Content
Beyond structural tags, a few stylistic details are used to enhance the look and feel of this layout. The layout includes a title in green with italic styling to indicate the example’s purpose. There is also a horizontal line colored light pink, which provides a visual separator between the title and the layout itself. These minor styling choices help frame the layout, giving it a clean, organized appearance.
The image in the center panel (<img src="Images/Dolphin2.JPG" />) brings visual interest to the layout. This section can easily be modified to include any other form of content, such as text, tables, or media, depending on the application’s needs.
Conclusion
This example demonstrates how to use ColdFusion’s <cflayout> and <cflayoutarea> tags to create a border layout with splitters. By enabling splitters on the top, left, right, and bottom sections, this layout becomes resizable and user-friendly, allowing a customized viewing experience. The layout can be adapted for various applications, especially for dashboards or admin panels, where users benefit from being able to adjust the view dynamically.
Incorporating splitters in a border layout can make the interface both functional and flexible. This approach gives end-users the ability to personalize their view, enhancing overall usability and interaction within ColdFusion applications.
<!DOCTYPE html>
<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">
<head>
<meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" />
<title>cflayout tag: how to use splitter in a border type layout in coldfusion</title>
</head>
<body>
<h2 style="color:SeaGreen; font-style:italic">cflayout example: using splitter in border type layout</h2>
<hr width="550" align="left" color="LightPink" />
<br />
<cflayout name="BorderLayout" type="border" style="height:400px; width:650px; text-align:center">
<cflayoutarea name="TopBar" position="top" splitter="true">
Top
</cflayoutarea>
<cflayoutarea name="LeftBar" position="left" splitter="true">
Left
</cflayoutarea>
<cflayoutarea name="CenterBar" position="center">
<img src="Images/Dolphin2.JPG" />
</cflayoutarea>
<cflayoutarea name="RightBar" position="right" splitter="true">
Right
</cflayoutarea>
<cflayoutarea name="BottomBar" position="bottom" splitter="true">
Bottom
</cflayoutarea>
</cflayout>
</body>
</html>