ColdFusion is centered on learning the ColdFusion Markup Language (CFML). The ColdFusion Markup Language is a tag-based language used to develop the layout and design of Web pages as well as build Web based applications. ColdFusion is most commonly used to build dynamic templates for database integration. Instead of building an HTML page for every page in your Web site, ColdFusion allows you to build templates that are built on the fly. In this manner, a whole website can be built based off of a handful of templates instead of building each page by hand.

Because of this ColdFusion is used extensively by those who need to integrate database content with their Web pages as well as those who must constantly change and/or update their Web pages. ColdFusion requires two products, ColdFusion Application Server and ColdFusion Studio. A third product, ColdFusion Administrator is not required, but it aids the Web developer and increases the overall productivity of development and implementing Cold Fusion Web pages.

ColdFusion Application Server
The Application Server takes both your CFML and your HTML and converts them into a completed Web page. ColdFusion Application Server must be provided by your Web Host in order for you to use it. ColdFusion Web Hosts have the Application Server preinstalled on their servers. Without the Application Server, ColdFusion Web pages cannot be used.

ColdFusion Studio
CFML is a tag based programming language and any text editor can be used to create a page, such as Windows Notepad. You can also create and edit pages with ColdFusion Studio, Macromedia ColdFusion MX, BlueDragon, or any other text based editing tool. Though a simple text editor can be used, advanced uses of ColdFusion would be difficult to integrate. Applications such as ColdFusion Studio and BlueDragon are IDEs or Integrated Development Environments. These IDEs offer a GUI (graphical user interface) based environment to aid the development of ColdFusion Web pages and are the preferred choice by developers.

ColdFusion Administrator
The ColdFusion Administrator is the non-mandatory and final component for the use of ColdFusion. ColdFusion Administrator enables the Web Developer to control the ColdFusion Applications Server. This is normally reserved for Dedicated and Co-Located plans since most ColdFusion based virtual accounts are administered by the Web Host. Control of the Application Server via the Administrator is done using a form-driven, easy to use, Web page based interface and controls such parts as security settings, performance, creating database connections, and more.