cfif

cfif is a conditional tag in ColdFusion Markup Language (CFML) used to control the execution of code on the server. It is part of the tag-based CFML syntax and is supported by major CFML engines such as Adobe ColdFusion and Lucee. The tag evaluates a boolean expression, and when true, the enclosed code runs; otherwise, the content inside the tag is skipped. cfif is commonly used to render different HTML, gate access, or branch logic in server-side scripts.

Syntax can be written in two forms. Tag form: <cfif condition> ... </cfif>, with optional <cfelseif> and <cfelse> blocks to handle alternative paths. CFScript form: if (condition) { ... }. The condition can reference variables, functions, and other expressions. Operators include comparison operators such as eq, neq, gt, ge, lt, le, as well as logical operators and, or, not. Some engines also support isDefined("var") to check for the existence of a variable or isNull to test for null.

Examples:

<cfset x = 7>

<cfif x gt 5>

<p>x is greater than 5</p>

</cfif>

<cfif user.loggedIn>

Welcome, #user.name#

<cfelse>

Please log in.

</cfif>

In CFScript, the equivalent is:

if (x > 5) { /* code here */ }

cfif is suitable for simple inline conditions or for more complex branching, and it can be nested within other cfif blocks. It remains a fundamental tool for server-side conditional rendering and logic in CFML applications.