The following is a very useful JAVA tip for ColdFusion developers. Ever wanted to log a structure or array easily into a log file or use it as a string without actually looping and parsing to a string variable? Well, you always had the method right there lurking in the misterious but powerful Java world. The all ecompassing toString() method.

Actually all java.lang.Object inerit a toString() method as you can read in the java docs.

Below is the actual info:

toString

public String toString()

Returns a string representation of the object. In general, the toString method returns a string that "textually represents" this object. The result should be a concise but informative representation that is easy for a person to read. It is recommended that all subclasses override this method.

The toString method for class Object returns a string consisting of the name of the class of which the object is an instance, the at-sign character `@', and the unsigned hexadecimal representation of the hash code of the object. In other words, this method returns a string equal to the value of:

getClass().getName() + '@' + Integer.toHexString(hashCode())

Returns:

a string representation of the object.

As you can see, this method can be very useful. So how do I use it in Coldfusion? Very easily, jeje. look below:

//Create a structure

myStruct = structNew();

myStruct.today = now();

myStruct.name = "luis majano";

myStruct.url = "www.luismajano.com";

//Convert to string

#myStruct.toString()#

And there you go ladies and gentleman!! Enjoy this quick tip!!