Application Variables vs Request Variables

[ProjectedSurplus]

I've read a number of forums and cf books but they seem to contradict each other.

To me it seems better to put say the datasourcename into the application variable -- but I dont seem able to use #APPLICATION.varname# in my pages (cf8). Am I doing something wrong?

Alternatively #REQUEST.varname# I can use no problem but this to me is requiring the cf server to do unnecessary extra work (ie before each page request) is it not?

Thanks in advance,

[ProjectedSurplus]

Thanks, I have not gotten to needing or even reading up on either mappings (I assume are roadmaps to directories) or customtags but what you say makes sense so I will follow (with gratitude) your suggestions (undoubtedly saving myself hours at some future date).

Similarly though, at the moment I am defining an APPLICATION.imageSource = " http://70.69.etc " with the thought to store my images on a separate server later on (maybe Amazon S3 or the like). Is this the sort of thing better done via an application.mapping ?

[BKBK]

ProjectedSurplus wrote:
Similarly though, at the moment I am defining an APPLICATION.imageSource = " http://70.69.etc " with the thought to store my images on a separate server later on (maybe Amazon S3 or the like). Is this the sort of thing better done via an application.mapping ?

If the imageSource URL is a constant throughout the application, then it's a good idea to set APPLICATION.imageSource = " http://70.69.etc " in onApplicationStart. I expect the struct, application.mappings, to have keys whose values correspond to the mappings you defined in the Coldfusion Administrator.