Getting Started with BoxLang - CFCamp 2025.pdf
0 likes68 views
📄 Getting Started with BoxLang – CFCamp 2025 Session with Luis Majano Explore the foundations of BoxLang, the next-generation dynamic JVM language created by Ortus Solutions, in this introductory session led by its creator, Luis Majano, at CFCamp 2025. This PDF contains the full slide deck from the session, walking attendees through the key concepts, syntax, and use cases of BoxLang, along with live coding examples and tips for building modern web applications. Ideal for developers seeking hands-on experience with a language designed to be modular, productive, and future-proof. A special thank you to the CFCamp team for providing us with the space to share our vision and help the community take its first steps with BoxLang. 🌐
![CLI Apps
• Execute
• *.bxs
• *.bxm
• *.bx -> main( args = [] )
• BIFS
• CLIGetArgs()
• CLIClear()
• CLIExit()
• CLIRead()
https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/running-boxlang/cli-scripting](https://image.slidesharecdn.com/introtoboxlang1-250523120741-2b7a0b5d/85/Getting-Started-with-BoxLang-CFCamp-2025-pdf-23-320.jpg)
Getting Started with BoxLang - CFCamp 2025.pdf
- 2. LUIS F. MAJANO Your Host • CEO Ortus Solutions • Computer Engineer • Creator of MANY things box! • Documentation Weirdo!
- 3. Agenda • What • Features • How
- 4. BoxLang is a modular dynamic language for the JVM, aiming to make your development more productive, expressive, functional, and available everywhere. DYNAMIC : MODULAR : PRODUCTIVE
- 5. What is Boxlang? • New language and runtime for the JVM • Lightweight (7MB!) dynamic, loosely typed language • Multi-Runtime • Multi-Parser • Modular + Extensible • Can replace ColdFusion/Lucee installs • Open Source + FREE 🎉
- 6. BoxLang +/++ • BoxLang +/++ Subscriptions • Premium Modules + Features • Support + SLAs • CommandBox PRO • Cache Connectors • WebServer Connectors • Server Sync • Much more. •https://www.boxlang.io/plans
- 7. BoxLang is a modular dynamic language for the JVM that aims to make development more productive, expressive, functional, and available everywhere.
- 8. Multi-Parsers : BoxLang + CFML + ??? • Our way to split with the old and bring in the new • Transpile CFML into BoxLang • JIT • One-Time • BoxLang is a NEW clean slate • Our way to provide static analysis tooling • Tons of features now in our IDE • Two Transpilers In Planning: COBOL, Groovy .cfc, .cfm .bx, bxs, bxm
- 9. CFML Drop-In Replacement • For Drop-In Replacement of CFML • bx-compat-cfml • Tools • boxlang featureAudit <options> • boxlang cftranspile <options> .cfc, .cfm .bx, bxs, bxm
- 12. Key Features • 100% Java interop • Auto Casting, type promotions, type contagion • Extend Java, Implement Java, Import Java • Classes (full OO, interfaces, abstract, static, etc) • Closures and Pure Functions • Unmodi fi able Types (Query, Array, Struct) • Event-Driven Language • Caching Engine + API • Task Scheduling
- 13. Key Features • Member functions • Tag Islands • Extend via Modules • Meta programming • Array/Struct Change Listeners • All File operations use NIO • Async Framework • Much More…
- 14. How • Install the JDK (21+ minimum) • Install the binaries • Install the IDE
- 15. Runtime Installers • Each runtime can be di ff erent • Installation • Con fi guration • Modules • Please know this before hand • Each runtime doc speci fi es it
- 17. BoxLang OS • OS Binary • Scripting • Scheduling • CLI Applications • Installers • Quick Installer • Windows Installer • OS Binaries • boxlang • install-bx-module • boxlang-miniserver • install-boxlang https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/installation
- 18. Binaries https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/installation REPL Code Execution Transpiler Compiler Feature Audit Scheduler boxlang Installer Updater Install-boxlang List Install Install-bx-module Create Miniservers boxlang-miniserver
- 19. BoxLang Home • User Home Folder: ~/.boxlang • Compiled Classes • Con fi guration Files • Lib (Java Integration) • Logs • Modules • Maven pom.xml • Etc
- 20. BoxLang Modules • Extra functionality in • OS • install-bx-module {moduleName} • box install {moduleName} • JDBC Drivers, mail, orm, ai, pdf, markdown, etc
- 21. Demo
- 22. BoxLang CLI Apps
- 23. CLI Apps • Execute • *.bxs • *.bxm • *.bx -> main( args = [] ) • BIFS • CLIGetArgs() • CLIClear() • CLIExit() • CLIRead() https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/running-boxlang/cli-scripting
- 24. CLI Apps • server.cli • Execution Path • CLI Arguments • Positional • Options • Working directory • Much more https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/running-boxlang/cli-scripting
- 25. CLI Options • --option (option is true) • --option=X (option is X) • -o=X (shorter) • --!option (option is false) • --no-option (option is false) https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/running-boxlang/cli-scripting
- 26. SheBang Scripts • Unix/Mac Scripts • # ! /usr/bin/env boxlang • Basically a *.bxs script https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/getting-started/running-boxlang/cli-scripting
- 27. Scheduler • A simple Class • 1 method: configure() • Several Injections • Interact with a Scheduler Class • Startup a scheduler • boxlang schedule path.toScheduler.bx https://apidocs.ortussolutions.com/boxlang/1.1.0/ortus/boxlang/runtime/async/tasks/BaseScheduler.html
- 28. BoxLang IDE
- 29. BoxLang IDE • LSP Runtime • Code Insight + highlighting • Inline docs • MiniServer • Run CFML/BX Code • Built-in debugger!
- 30. Tooling Overview • More polished experience • Dedicated toolbar and panels • Quick access to the BoxLang community • BoxLang REPL
- 31. Tooling - Integrated BoxLang Commands
- 32. Tooling - Home Manager • Manage your runtime homes • Clear class fi les • Open home folder • Easily manage con fi guration • View log fi les • Manage and install modules
- 33. Tooling - Version Manager • Install and manage di ff erent versions • Easily run CLI scripts and MiniServers with speci fi c BoxLang versions • A game changer for testing for regressions
- 34. Boxlang Debugger • Breakpoints on any CFML/BX Code • OS, MiniServer or CommandBox • Pause Threads • Change variables at runtime • Watch variable expressions • Conditional Breakpoints • Live debug any BoxLang Enabled Server
- 35. Demo
- 36. BoxLang WebApps
- 37. Different Runtimes • MiniServer • CommandBox • Servlet Deployments (war) • Tomcat • Jetty • Resin • Payara
- 38. MiniServer • Lightweight Pure Java Web Server • NOT a servlet engine • Extremely fast • Rewrites Enabled • WebSockets • Custom Home • Custom Con fi gs • ENV Support
- 39. MiniServer Can’t…. • SSL Port • Multi-Site • Server Rules • WAF • Security Rules • CFCon fi g Support
- 40. CommandBox • Recommend Enterprise Engine • Open-Source -> CommandBox Open-Source • BoxLang +/++ -> CommandBox PRO • Multi-Site • Automatic JDK management • Cache Connectors • Server Sync • OS Service Manager
- 41. CommandBox
- 42. Demo
- 43. Further Study • AWS Lambdas (Session Tomorrow) • Schedulers • Async Framework • Modules • Read the docs! https://boxlang.ortusbooks.com/
- 44. Q&A The Future of Modern Development Starts Here, with you! 🚀 www.boxlang.io