It's funny, developers tend to get used one language or technology, sometimes we get the mindset that we are a {insert language here} developer. I know, because it has happened to me. As a ColdFusion developer, I have found myself in the mindset that things need to be done in ColdFusion. I know I am not alone in this because during a number of conversations following my company's decision to have me learn ASP .Net and C#, I found myself being asked the same question, “Are you still going to develop ColdFusion applications?”

I have tried not to fall into this thought-pattern since I believe that, as I have heard Hal Helms say (and repeat in the comments for my previous blog entry – thanks Hal), we are first and foremost developers. That means that we need to have a good supply of tools available in our tool boxes much the way that an auto mechanic has. I recently had some work done on my pickup and when I went to the shop, I saw a lot of high-quality brand-name chests filled with tools. I know those tools are not cheap and if the mechanic is willing to make the investment, it's a good bet that he has decent skills and is serious about his profession. As developers, we need to be serious about our profession and the way we stock our tool chests demonstrates that commitment. The majority of the price for our tools is training time. If we can demonstrate comfortable familiarity with our tools as well as successful past projects utilizing various technologies, the customer is likely to feel more confident that we're going to solve the problem the correct way using the right tool. The Pragmatic Programmer, one of my favorite books, in the section titled your knowledge portfolio, encourages the reader to learn a new language every year. So if you've chosen software development as a profession, maintaining and/or broadening your skills is not optional, it's essential.

So am I going to continue to develop ColdFusion applications? Of course I will! I enjoy being part of a community that has some of the most outstanding developers I have had the pleasure of knowing and ColdFusion is a solid choice for data-driven rapid application development. However, as a developer, I'm excited to learn a new language and technology.