ColdFusion Application Design

Does anyone know of any tools available that are free or very cheap that help layout a new application? I am pushing for Adalon here, but its an uphill battle... I am trying to find a tool to aid in the restructuring and redesign of our main application that currently has NO documentation and NO initial design specs... sad story yes... and very frustrating. Thanks, Mike

Michael, take a look at NAWT (not another wireframe tool) at strangetactics.com it serves at least part of the process and it is free. Kind Regards - Mike Brunt Webapper Services LLC Web Site http://www.webapper.com Blog http://www.webapper.net Webapper <Web Application Specialists> Does anyone know of any tools available that are free or very cheap that help layout a new application? I am pushing for Adalon here, but its an uphill battle... I am trying to find a tool to aid in the restructuring and redesign of our main application that currently has NO documentation and NO initial design specs... sad story yes... and very frustrating. Thanks, Mike

VISIO, it's not specifically for Web Application design, but it works really well for modelling all sorts of processes including databases and networks. When you signup for Microsoft's partner program you get VISIO and a whole boatload of other software for internal use. I think we paid $99 for the whole shebang including development copies of Windows Server 2003, Office, etc. Just another option ... Joshua Miller Head Programmer / IT Manager Garrison Enterprises Inc. www.garrisonenterprises.net webmaster@garrisonenterprisesdigital.com (704) 569-0801 ext. 254 ************************************************************************ ************* Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender, except where the sender states them to be the views of Garrison Enterprises Inc. This e-mail is intended only for the individual or entity to which it is addressed and contains information that is private and confidential. If you are not the intended recipient you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying is strictly prohibited. If you have received this e-mail in error please delete it immediately and advise us by return e-mail to postmaster@garrisonenterprisesdigital.com ************************************************************************ ************* Michael, take a look at NAWT (not another wireframe tool) at strangetactics.com it serves at least part of the process and it is free. Kind Regards - Mike Brunt Webapper Services LLC Web Site http://www.webapper.com Blog http://www.webapper.net Webapper <Web Application Specialists> Does anyone know of any tools available that are free or very cheap that help layout a new application? I am pushing for Adalon here, but its an uphill battle... I am trying to find a tool to aid in the restructuring and redesign of our main application that currently has NO documentation and NO initial design specs... sad story yes... and very frustrating. Thanks, Mike

With Visio Enterprise, you can create ER diagrams and forward-engineer database tables with all their relationships defined.  Regular Visio will only reverse-engineer Access and SQL-Server databases, but that can be a big help if you need a graphical representation.  I'm not sure if you can just bolt onto anything through ODBC, though.  I haven't really dug into it that much. - Jim Joshua Miller wrote: ----- Excess quoted text cut - see Original Post for more -----

There is a free version of Adalon.  The wireframe version. Its a highly cut down version that's suitable for giving to clients to help them help you gather requirements. It allows you to create diagrams with some detail, that go on to create simple wireframes. That might be enough to get you started and give you a leg up with getting full versions of adalon on your desk. ;o) Stephen > Does anyone know of any tools available that are free or very cheap that help layout a new application? I am pushing for Adalon here, but its an uphill battle... > > I am trying to find a tool to aid in the restructuring and redesign of our main application that currently has NO documentation and NO initial design specs... sad story yes... and very frustrating. > > Thanks, > > Mike

I'd personally recommend Embarcadero's ER/Studio for database design.  It has way better features than Visio, for it is specific... http://www.embarcadero.com/products/erstudio/index.asp I believe Sybase and Oracle also have good database design tools... Looks like Adalon though is a pretty cool wireframe app...  I may have to try that out myself... With Visio Enterprise, you can create ER diagrams and forward-engineer database tables with all their relationships defined.  Regular Visio will only reverse-engineer Access and SQL-Server databases, but that can be a big help if you need a graphical representation.  I'm not sure if you can just bolt onto anything through ODBC, though.  I haven't really dug into it that much. - Jim Joshua Miller wrote: ----- Excess quoted text cut - see Original Post for more -----

The free wireframe version of Adalon is great.  I wireframed a big ol' FB app (around 40 circuits, from 10 to 40 fuseactions each), and it was great to work with.  Once you have the diagrams all set up, and you actually have something pretty to show the boss, the sale for the full version (that actually generates code and stuff) could be much easier.  I also use it for database relationships and class diagrams, because i'm familiar with it. Probably better tools for each job out there, bot for a single app, it's great at all three. barneyb --- Barney Boisvert, Senior Development Engineer AudienceCentral bboisvert@audiencecentral.com voice : 360.756.8080 x12 fax   : 360.647.5351 www.audiencecentral.com ----- Excess quoted text cut - see Original Post for more -----