The previous example spawns a thread that could continue processing long after the parent page terminates. If you needed to wait for a thread to complete, you could use the following code:

<cfthread action="join" name="threadFile">

JOIN is used to wait for one or more threads to complete, and multiple thread names may be specified (as may a timeout value).

Once defined, the thread name can be accessed as a structure that exposes the following members:

• ELPASEDTIME is the amount of time since the thread was spawned.
• ERROR contains any error messages generated by the code in the spawned thread.
• NAME is the thread name.
• OUTPUT contains any generated output. This output will not be sent to the client, but parent page code can access the output that can then be used as needed.
• PRIORITY is the thread priority level (HIGH, LOW, NORMAL).
• STARTIME is the time the thread started.
• STATUS is the thread status (NOT_STARTED, RUNNING, TERMINATED, COMPLETED, WAITING).

ZIP and JAR File Access in ColdFusion 8
During the usergroup presentation at the Mid-Michigan CFUG in East Lansing, I mentioned another new ColdFusion 8 tag, one we haven't yet discussed publicly; this tag will now appear last in alphabetical CFML tag listings. <CFZIP> provides access to ZIP and JAR files, supporting the following actions:

• DELETE deletes one or more files from an archive file.
• LIST lists the contents of an archive file.
• READ reads the contents of an archived file into a variable.
• READBINARY reads the contents of a binary archived file into a variable.
• UNZIP extracts files from an archive file.
• ZIP compressed files into an archive file.

Roundup
Everyone is excited about ColdFusion 8; the blogs have been buzzing, feedback has been superb, lots of attendees expressed relief and gratitude at seeing such a compelling ColdFusion built in this new Adobe era - no complaints, no negative feedback, just real enthusiasm and excitement. The only frequently heard complaint was from users who want it now!