User Guide

466 Chapter 3: ColdFusion Functions
Duplicate
Description
Returns a clone, also known as a deep copy, of a variable. There is no reference to the original
variable.
Returns
A clone of a variable.
Category
Structure functions, System functions
Function syntax
Duplicate(variable_name)
See also
StructCopy,
other Structure functions
History
ColdFusion MX: Changed behavior: this function can be used on XML objects.
Parameters
Usage
Use this function to duplicate complex structures, such as nested structures and queries.
Note: With this function, you cannot duplicate a COM, CORBA, or JAVA object returned from the
cfobject tag or the CreateObject function. If an array element or structure field is a COM, CORBA,
or JAVA object, you cannot duplicate the array or structure.
Example
<h3>Duplicate Example</h3>
<cfset s1 = StructNew()>
<cfset s1.nested = StructNew()>
<cfset s1.nested.item = "original">
<cfset copy = StructCopy(s1)>
<cfset clone = Duplicate(s1)>
<!--- modify the original --->
<cfset s1.nested.item = "modified">
<cfoutput>
<p>The copy contains the modified value: #copy.nested.item#</p>
<p>The duplicate contains the original value: #clone.nested.item#</p>
</cfoutput>
Parameter Description
variable_name Name of a variable to duplicate