Category descriptions on the main page?

[mpayson]

I have the categories displayed on the main page. In addition to the category name & photo, I'd like to have the category description displayed. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem easy to do this. I edited line 40 of modules/mytemplate/category_row.php to include:

[deleted for legibility] . $categories->fields['categories_name'] . '</a><br />' . $categories->fields['categories_description']);

But it appears that the field categories_description isn't included in the array from the database results. I found classes/category_tree.php and added cb.categories_description to each of the quesries, but It's still not displaying the description.

I then dug deeper and tried changing modules/mytemplate/category_row.php to:

[deleted] . $categories->fields['categories_name'] . '</a><br />' . $current_categories_description);

and then:

[deleted] . $categories->fields['categories_name'] . '</a><br />' . $categories_description_lookup->fields['categories_description']);

neither of which helped.

So how do I get the category descriptions on my home page? There must be an easy way that I'm missing.

Thanks!

[bunyip]

in your modules/your_template/category_row.php file, find this code:

    if (!$categories->fields['categories_image']) !$categories->fields['categories_image'] = 'pixel_trans.gif';
    $cPath_new = zen_get_path($categories->fields['categories_id']);

then insert a line in it so it reads like this:

    if (!$categories->fields['categories_image']) !$categories->fields['categories_image'] = 'pixel_trans.gif';
    $categories_description = zen_get_category_description($categories->fields['categories_id'], $_SESSION['languages_id']);
	$cPath_new = zen_get_path($categories->fields['categories_id']);

now you can use the variable $categories_description on (what was) line 40 to display it

[mpayson]

Thanks, that was exactly what I needed.

[GearStudios]

This will also show the subcategory descriptions on subsequent pages. Great tip!!! How to show Category Descriptions.

In your modules/your_template/category_row.php file, find this code:
Code:

 if (!$categories->fields['categories_image']) !$categories->fields['categories_image'] = 'pixel_trans.gif';
    $cPath_new = zen_get_path($categories->fields['categories_id']);

then insert a line in it so it reads like this:
Code:

    if (!$categories->fields['categories_image']) !$categories->fields['categories_image'] = 'pixel_trans.gif';
    $categories_description = zen_get_category_description($categories->fields['categories_id'], $_SESSION['languages_id']);
	$cPath_new = zen_get_path($categories->fields['categories_id']);

now you can use the variable $categories_description on (what was) line 40 to display it

[avarshav]

I'm trying to do the same exact thing here, but I don't have this file in this location. I'm using the classic template. When I go into modules/classic there is no category_row.php file. There's just one other file in there.

In my modules directory, there is a category_row.php file, and when I use the suggestion noted above, it doesn't work. I know the answer is right in front of me, anyone have any ideas?

[gjh42]

Copy /includes/modules/category_row.php to /includes/modules/classic/category_row.php and make the edits there.

[shazam_1973]

I'm trying to do something similar (original post) but my php skills are a little rough.

I want to dynamically create the href for a custom menu on my main page. I think I need to use zen_get_path($current_category_id = '') but I'm not sure how to integrate that into the html. Is there a relatively simple way to do this?

I know this is totally wrong but perhaps it will illustrate what I am trying to do:

<a href="<?php zen_get_path($current_category_id = '65')?>" ><img src="/images/t_platters.gif"><br>Platters and Plates</a>

Not surprisingly this link leads to:

The requested URL /cPath=65 was not found on this server

[rbarbour]

I know this is totally wrong but perhaps it will illustrate what I am trying to do:

<a href="<?php zen_get_path($current_category_id = '65')?>" ><img src="/images/t_platters.gif"><br>Platters and Plates</a>

Not surprisingly this link leads to:
[INDENT]The requested URL /cPath=65 was not found on this

<a href="/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=65"><img src="<?php echo DIR_WS_TEMPLATE ?>images/t_platters.gif" border="0" /></a>

this will show your category image t_platters.gif with a link to that category - I personally use this example for category images

[gjh42]

You are already hardcoding the entire menu, so I see no benefit to calling zen functions here. Just use a straight HTML link.

<a href="index.php?main_page=index&amp;cPath=65"><img ...

And you should keep any further discussion of your question (which is off topic for this thread) to your original thread.

Oops, old tab:)

And I note that this thread was resurrected three years and one day after its original activity:)

[TKPope]

I have used the above code to get the Category (and Subcategory) descriptions to show on the Category page:

http://fixyourprofile.com/fasteners/...chine-products

I would also like to get the Category Description to show on the Product page:

http://fixyourprofile.com/fasteners/...les/ball-studs

However, I cannot figure out how to call for $categories_description in tpl_product_info_display.php

Thanks in advance!