Parent Categories Separated In 3 sideboxes

hi everyone im hoping this can be done and easily. i have been searching for a while but have come up with nothing. i found one older post about this but there were no answers so i figured i would give it a shot. i would like to have three category sideboxes one for adults, children and teens. and in each of these side boxes i would like to have the appropriate categories.

is this possible?

thanks for looking

Easy is a nebulous term??? You would need to clone/duplicate the /includes/modules/sideboxes/categories.php and the associated /includes/templates/template_default/sideboxes/tpl_categories.php files along with the names files etc and edit these to only display the category that you want and be titled as you want.

This should all be accomplished using the override system to preserve your hard work.

perfect, thanks so much i should be able to do that*L* i have cloned other files so it should not be to hard. appreciate the reply

sorry one more question ..... i duplicated the sideboxes just fine but how do i specify which category to show in which sidebox?

Duping the boxes is the easy part - defining what needs to be in the box on a dynamic basis becomes a bit more complicated and I have not done this as you are trying to but...

/includes/functions/functions_categories.php I believe is what populates this box
but it mat be the tpl that grabs this and can be adjusted most simply

thanks alot i will give it a go, im sure i will figure it out
i appreciate the help

cara

ok so i think i got myself into more then i can handle*L*.
i though this would be easier, but i think im going to have to do to much coding to figure this out and im just not good enough with php to do that. im going to look at this a little more but from what i saw in functions_categories.php it looks pretty hard.

if you or anyone has an advice or thoughts on how to go about this they will be of great help, in the mean time im going to see what i can do.

thanks again

I did a mod to insert another breakline between some of my categories, checking the category id to put it in the right place. You could do a similar thing, screening the current cat being added against a list and skipping it if it is not on the list. This would require editing the code if you add any categories, but it wouldn't be difficult.

I am away from my regular computer so can't give any more info at the moment, but if you still need help I can post later tonoght. (The file wasn't in /functions, but I can't remember which one it was right now.)

if you have the time i would love some help later, im going to work on it now for a while and see if i can figure anything out. but i would defiantly appreciate some more info if you dont mind.

thanks so much for you help

In /includes/templates/your_template/sideboxes/tpl_categories.php, the categories display list is built with a for loop starting about line 14:

for ($i=0;$i<sizeof($box_categories_array);$i++) {

There are a lot of if tests inside this to determine characteristics of the display, and a switch which is intended to customize individual category line appearance. This switch code can be used in another if test as I did:

//lay a separator between collections and types - gjh42 20070222
if ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=81') {
$content .= '<hr id="catBoxDivider2" />' . "\n";
}

You can use this test immediately after the for loop start (say line 15) with its closing } just before the

}

if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_SPECIALS == 'true' or...

around line 59. This will evaluate whether or not the category should be displayed before determining how to display it.

For your purpose, I suggest something like this (replacing the cPaths with yours):

PHP Code:

---

  for ($i=0;$i<sizeof($box_categories_array);$i++) {
    /* test for cats to display */
    if ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] ==('cPath=3' or 'cPath=7' or 'cPath=7_25' or 'cPath=7_26' or 'cPath=12')) {

/* many lines of existing code */

    } /* add this */
 }

if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_SPECIALS == 'true' or... 


---

If the cPath being evaluated is not in this list, it will not be displayed in this sidebox. For the simplest use, it will be necessary to mention every subcategory cPath as well as top cats.

If you have a lot of subcats this could get cumbersome. In this case it will be possible to evaluate for just the topcat id, but will be more complicated. The way I did it for another purpose won't exactly work here, and I would have to think a while to figure a good way to do it.

Let me know how this works for you.

thank you so much i appreciate all your help. ok i have been playing around with this for a while now and i just keep getting parse errors, maybe im placing the code in the wrong area, im going to attach the tpl_catagories.php file, if you dont mind could you just show me where i should be adding this. im 90% sure i understood what you said*L*. but as always getting it to work proves difficult.

here is my original file

Code:

---

<?php
/**
 * Side Box Template
 *
 * @package templateSystem
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2006 Zen Cart Development Team
 * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @version $Id: tpl_categories.php 4162 2006-08-17 03:55:02Z ajeh $
 */
  $content = "";
 
  $content .= '<div id="' . str_replace('_', '-', $box_id . 'Content') . '" class="sideBoxContent">' . "\n";
  for ($i=0;$i<sizeof($box_categories_array);$i++) {
    switch(true) {
// to make a specific category stand out define a new class in the stylesheet example: A.category-holiday
// uncomment the select below and set the cPath=3 to the cPath= your_categories_id
// many variations of this can be done
//      case ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=3'):
//        $new_style = 'category-holiday';
//        break;
      case ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] == 'true'):
        $new_style = 'category-top';
        break;
      case ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']):
        $new_style = 'category-subs';
        break;
      default:
        $new_style = 'category-products';
      }
    if (zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)
      } else {
      $content .= '<a class="' . $new_style . '" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_DEFAULT, $box_categories_array[$i]['path']) . '">';

      if ($box_categories_array[$i]['current']) {
        if ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']) {
          $content .= '<span class="category-subs-parent">' . $box_categories_array[$i]['name'] . '</span>';
        } else {
          $content .= '<span class="category-subs-selected">' . $box_categories_array[$i]['name'] . '</span>';
        }
      } else {
        $content .= $box_categories_array[$i]['name'];
      }

      if ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']) {
        $content .= CATEGORIES_SEPARATOR;
      }
      $content .= '</a>';

      if (SHOW_COUNTS == 'true') {
        if ((CATEGORIES_COUNT_ZERO == '1' and $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] == 0) or $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] >= 1) {
          $content .= CATEGORIES_COUNT_PREFIX . $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] . CATEGORIES_COUNT_SUFFIX;
        }
      }

      $content .= '<br />' . "\n";
    }
  }

  if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_SPECIALS == 'true' or SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_NEW == 'true' or SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_FEATURED_PRODUCTS == 'true' or SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_ALL == 'true') {
// display a separator between categories and links
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_SEPARATOR_LINK == '1') {
      $content .= '<hr id="catBoxDivider" />' . "\n";
    }
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_SPECIALS == 'true') {
      $show_this = $db->Execute("select s.products_id from " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s where s.status= 1 limit 1");
      if ($show_this->RecordCount() > 0) {
        $content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_SPECIALS) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_SPECIALS . '</a>' . '<br />' . "\n";
      }
    }
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_NEW == 'true') {
      // display limits
//      $display_limit = zen_get_products_new_timelimit();
      $display_limit = zen_get_new_date_range();

      $show_this = $db->Execute("select p.products_id
                                from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                                where p.products_status = 1 " . $display_limit . " limit 1");
      if ($show_this->RecordCount() > 0) {
        $content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_PRODUCTS_NEW) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_WHATS_NEW . '</a>' . '<br />' . "\n";
      }
    }
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_FEATURED_PRODUCTS == 'true') {
      $show_this = $db->Execute("select products_id from " . TABLE_FEATURED . " where status= 1 limit 1");
      if ($show_this->RecordCount() > 0) {
        $content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_FEATURED_PRODUCTS) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_FEATURED_PRODUCTS . '</a>' . '<br />' . "\n";
      }
    }
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_ALL == 'true') {
      $content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_PRODUCTS_ALL) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_PRODUCTS_ALL . '</a>' . "\n";
    }
  }
  $content .= '</div>';
?>

---

thanks so so much i appreciate your help so much

Try this and see if it works. It is the default file with the display test code added.
You will need to edit cPaths to match your store's.

PHP Code:

---

<?php
/**
 * Side Box Template
 *
 * @package templateSystem
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2006 Zen Cart Development Team
 * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @version $Id: tpl_categories.php 4162 2006-08-17 03:55:02Z ajeh $
 */
  $content = "";
  
  $content .= '<div id="' . str_replace('_', '-', $box_id . 'Content') . '" class="sideBoxContent">' . "\n";
  for ($i=0;$i<sizeof($box_categories_array);$i++) {
    /* test for cats to display */
    if ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == ('cPath=3' or 'cPath=7' or 'cPath=7_25' or 'cPath=7_26' or 'cPath=12')) {

    switch(true) {
// to make a specific category stand out define a new class in the stylesheet example: A.category-holiday
// uncomment the select below and set the cPath=3 to the cPath= your_categories_id
// many variations of this can be done
//      case ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=3'):
//        $new_style = 'category-holiday';
//        break;
      case ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] == 'true'):
        $new_style = 'category-top';
        break;
      case ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']):
        $new_style = 'category-subs';
        break;
      default:
        $new_style = 'category-products';
      }
     if (zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)
      } else {
      $content .= '<a class="' . $new_style . '" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_DEFAULT, $box_categories_array[$i]['path']) . '">';

      if ($box_categories_array[$i]['current']) {
        if ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']) {
          $content .= '<span class="category-subs-parent">' . $box_categories_array[$i]['name'] . '</span>';
        } else {
          $content .= '<span class="category-subs-selected">' . $box_categories_array[$i]['name'] . '</span>';
        }
      } else {
        $content .= $box_categories_array[$i]['name'];
      }

      if ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']) {
        $content .= CATEGORIES_SEPARATOR;
      }
      $content .= '</a>';

      if (SHOW_COUNTS == 'true') {
        if ((CATEGORIES_COUNT_ZERO == '1' and $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] == 0) or $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] >= 1) {
          $content .= CATEGORIES_COUNT_PREFIX . $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] . CATEGORIES_COUNT_SUFFIX;
        }
      }

      $content .= '<br />' . "\n";
    }
    } /* end cat display test */
  }

  if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_SPECIALS == 'true' or SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_NEW == 'true' or SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_FEATURED_PRODUCTS == 'true' or SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_ALL == 'true') {
// display a separator between categories and links
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_SEPARATOR_LINK == '1') {
      $content .= '<hr id="catBoxDivider" />' . "\n";
    }
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_SPECIALS == 'true') {
      $show_this = $db->Execute("select s.products_id from " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s where s.status= 1 limit 1");
      if ($show_this->RecordCount() > 0) {
        $content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_SPECIALS) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_SPECIALS . '</a>' . '<br />' . "\n";
      }
    }
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_NEW == 'true') {
      // display limits
//      $display_limit = zen_get_products_new_timelimit();
      $display_limit = zen_get_new_date_range();

      $show_this = $db->Execute("select p.products_id
                                 from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
                                 where p.products_status = 1 " . $display_limit . " limit 1");
      if ($show_this->RecordCount() > 0) {
        $content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_PRODUCTS_NEW) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_WHATS_NEW . '</a>' . '<br />' . "\n";
      }
    }
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_FEATURED_PRODUCTS == 'true') {
      $show_this = $db->Execute("select products_id from " . TABLE_FEATURED . " where status= 1 limit 1");
      if ($show_this->RecordCount() > 0) {
        $content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_FEATURED_PRODUCTS) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_FEATURED_PRODUCTS . '</a>' . '<br />' . "\n";
      }
    }
    if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_ALL == 'true') {
      $content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_PRODUCTS_ALL) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_PRODUCTS_ALL . '</a>' . "\n";
    }
  }
  $content .= '</div>';
?>

---

Hi,

I'm coming late to this discussion, but there's a pretty simple way to my mind... something similar to what I've done with a site that had special needs re displaying the categories. Simply modify a function/query in the \includes\classes\category_tree.php to select based on the top level category.

Here's an overview....

1. Set up an Adult Category that contains all the categories of adult clothing; set up one for Teens and one for Children.

2. Write down the Category ID # for each of them.

3. In \includes\classes\category_tree.php you need to duplicate the entire "function zen_category_tree" section, renaming the function... for instance, "function zen_adult_tree".

4. Find this section and add the text in red, replacing the # with your number from Step 2 above:

Code:

---

    if ($product_type == 'all') { // added c.categories_id specific here bpeters
      $categories_query = "select c.categories_id, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id, c.categories_image
                            from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd
                            where c.parent_id = 0
                            and c.categories_id = #
                            and c.categories_id = cd.categories_id
                            and cd.language_id='" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                            and c.categories_status= 1
                            order by sort_order, cd.categories_name";
    } else

---

5. Duplicate the Categories Sidebox, title it Adult or whatever... change the function call to call the newly defined "tree" in \includes\modules\sideboxes\[your template]\categories.php as shown in red text:

Code:

---

// don't build a tree when no categories
    $check_categories = $db->Execute("select categories_id from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " where categories_status=1 limit 1");
    if ($check_categories->RecordCount() > 0) {
      $box_categories_array = $main_category_tree->zen_adult_tree();
    }

---

Of course changing adult to whatever you need for each box.

6. I don't know if you'll need to change anything if you're using the Site Map contrib or not, so you might want to check if that applies to your site.

7. Be aware that the categories may not be expanded in the sidebox to display the subcategories all the time, and the boxes would have one link to "Adult Clothing" and not show anything else until you click on the category link itself. I can't remember what the upshot of this was, because I made additional changes beyond this for that site to meet their specific needs. But that sticks in my mind for some reason.

** Be advised that the mod to the class file will be overwritten during an upgrade, so be sure to save a copy of that file elsewhere -- there is no override in that section. And modifying core code is not always best, but this works and is easy. "-)

I got this from digging around in the forum, found an old post by Ajeh I think that mentioned this method of doing something similar. Anyway, just an idea in case you don't get the other thing working.

Just my two cents!

Cheers,

Becky

ok so im playing with both of these to see which i can get working and which works best.

Webomat thanks so much for the help, i have one question though. im not to experienced with php i have learned alot and learning more every day i assume i know when the function ends but i keep getting errors. so this leads me to think i have no clue*L*
here is a small part of the code i just want to make sure im doing it right

is the area in red the function i need to duplicate? or am i totally off.
could you tell me exactly what starts and ends this function also where do i place it after copying it? right after the original function i assume.
i understand the rest of how to do this im just confused about where the function starts and ends.

Code:

---

class category_tree extends base {
  function zen_category_tree($product_type = "all")  {
  global $db, $cPath, $cPath_array;
  if ($product_type != 'all') { 
      $sql = "select type_master_type from " . TABLE_PRODUCT_TYPES . "
                where type_master_type = " . $product_type . "";
      $master_type_result = $db->Execute($sql);
      $master_type = $master_type_result->fields['type_master_type'];
 
    }   
 
    $this->tree = array();
    if ($product_type == 'all') {
      $categories_query = "select c.categories_id, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id, c.categories_image
                            from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd
                            where c.parent_id = 0 
                            and c.categories_id = cd.categories_id
                            and cd.language_id='" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                            and c.categories_status= 1
                            order by sort_order, cd.categories_name";
    } else {
      $categories_query = "select ptc.category_id as categories_id, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id, c.categories_image
                            from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd, " . TABLE_PRODUCT_TYPES_TO_CATEGORY . " ptc
                            where c.parent_id = 0 
                            and ptc.category_id = cd.categories_id
                            and ptc.product_type_id = " . $master_type . "
                            and c.categories_id = ptc.category_id
                            and cd.language_id=" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] ."
                            and c.categories_status= 1
                            order by sort_order, cd.categories_name";
    }

---

thanks so much for your help

gjh42 ,

i think your way is going to work best. but im still having problems. let me explain further maybe i left something out. i have cloned the categories sidebox three times i now have categories,categories2,categories3 and categories4 these are how i named the files. so i copied the code you gave me and put it in the tpl_categoreis2.php file as this is the sidebox im trying to change now in tpl_categories2.php there are a number of file names like this $box_categories_array should i add a 2 to the end of categories to match the file name or should i leave it as $box_categories_array
when i change the $box_categories_array to $box_categories2_array it empties the categories out of the sidebox

after copying what you gave me it did not do anything.
when you say c-path you mean the categoryid right?


i really appreciate your help, i hope i have explained myself OK.

I don't know about the $box_categories_array part of the code... but my inclination would be to leave that as is. If you change it, you may need to carry changes far & wide.

The test code needs to say ('cPath=3' or 'cPath=7' or 'cPath=7_25' or ...) exactly, only replacing the numbers with yours. Of course you can add as many cPath items to the list as you want.
You can get the correct cPaths by navigating to the cat or sub in your store and looking at the address bar.

Note: You may want to try the modified code in the original tpl_categories.php first, to see how it works in something that you know is ok otherwise. One step at a time...

hmmm yeah that's exactly what i did but nothing is showing up.
i though i did it right, you explained it well. i don't get why it wont work.

i though this would be easier*L*, i should have know better

i appreciate all your help

Something just occurred to me: the if test may not actually function properly as written. It is intuitively reasonable, but it might be that the comparison logic works differently. I haven't found a solid answer to this yet... will keep looking.

Meanwhile, limiting the test to one 'cPath=3' will avoid this possible problem. If that works, we can reformulate the test statement.

PHP Code:

---

  if (($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=3') or ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=7') or ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=7_25')) { 


---

will definitely work, but is unbelievably cumbersome for a long list. There will be a more elegant way of stating it.

I suppose the first space-saver would be to substitute a simple variable for the $box expression.

PHP Code:

---

    $cPTest = $box_categories_array[$i]['path'];
    if (($cPTest == 'cPath=3') or ($cPTest == 'cPath=7') or($cPTest == 'cPath=7_25')) } 


---

is not so bad.

Hope this will do it.

A little research gave me this (turn the cPath list into an array, then see if $box matches any array item):

PHP Code:

---

 if(in_array($box_categories_array[$i]['path'], explode(",",'cPath=3','cPath=7','cPath=7_25'))) { 


---

After I came up with this, I realized it is the same method used in tpl_main_page.php to turn off sideboxes on specified pages.

If the cat list is long, a further condensation is possible:

PHP Code:

---

$cPTest = str_replace("=","",strchr($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],"="));
if(in_array($cPTest, explode(",",'3','7','7_25'))) { 


---

Strchr will return the $box value from = to the end, and str_replace will strip the =, giving a smaller string to test for.

ok i think we are getting close. i tried using the code from post 19 but i kept getting parse errors. i tired the codes from post 18 this one seemed to work

Code:

---

[FONT=Courier New]if (($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=42') or ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=51') or ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=70'[/FONT][FONT=Courier New])) {  [/FONT]

---

but it would only show two categories it would not show the third and if i added more to the array it would not show those either.

i also tried this code

Code:

---

[FONT=Courier New]$cPTest = $box_categories_array[$i]['path'[/FONT][FONT=Courier New]];[/FONT]
[FONT=Courier New]  if (($cPTest == 'cPath=3') or ($cPTest == 'cPath=7') or($cPTest == 'cPath=7_25'[/FONT][FONT=Courier New])) }  [/FONT]

---

but it gave me this error

Code:

---

Parse error: syntax error, unexpected '}' in /home/cara1977/public_html/gothenaturalway/includes/templates/classic/sideboxes/tpl_categories.php on line 15

---

i know i keep saying it but i appreciate your help so much, im going to keep playing with this a little bit code 1 above seem to work best so far i just need to get it to show more then two categories.

thanks a ton:smile:

i got it working....Yay....it was my bad i was playing around with the document type trying to clone it for duplicating the sideboxes and i set the category to restrict to only the document box.
it works perfectly, it will be time consuming adding all categories this way, as i have hundreds of them but i don't care it works*L*


thank you so much for all your help, its more appreciated then you will ever know. im so excited this is working:smile:

ok so once again i jumped the gun, it works perfectly in the original categories sidebox but it wont work in the cloned sideboxes. it shows the sidebox but its empty. i named the other categories sidexboxes
tpl_categories2.php,tpl_categories3.php and tpl_categories4.php

im thinking maybe i need to change file name or something like this, im just not sure what

im going to work on it and see what i can do but if you or anyone has a clue i would love to hear it.
here is the site incase you need to see it.

i named the original categoreis box to adult the one that is not working is pets which is tpl_categories2.php

http://www.gothenaturalway.com

As you probably already found and corrected, this code

PHP Code:

---

$cPTest = $box_categories_array[$i]['path'];
    if (($cPTest == 'cPath=3') or ($cPTest == 'cPath=7') or($cPTest == 'cPath=7_25')) } 


---

has a typo: the last } is supposed to be a {.

I'm afraid I can't help with the cloned files, as far as any changes that have to be made. I can only give one speculation or question: does the first executed box reset some info so it is not available to others? or does the last one overwrite what previous ones have done?
Good luck, and I'll be watching for developments.

yes i did catch the type, thanks alot.

yeah i dont even know how to go about finding out if the first executed box resets some info so it is not available to others or if the last one overwrites what previous ones have done. i know its a cloning issue, as far as i know i have cloned right i have done this many times before, but there is something stopping the changes in all the other category sideboxes. if anyone has a clue i would love to hear it.

Glenn thanks so much for all your help.

Working on a similar project, I just realized that I had neglected to check my syntax against the example in tpl_main_page.php when I knew the same method was used there.

PHP Code:

---

    if(in_array(str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path']), explode(",",'3,21,21_57'))) { 


---

does work correctly; the numbers need to be in one string with comma separators, not individual strings. Doh!
That should make your selection statements easier to write and read.

Ohhhhhhh i could just kiss you

thank you thank you thank you. That not only makes adding the cats so much easier it also fixed the problem with the cloned sideboxes, it must have been the syntax that was off making the clones not work.

i cant thank you enough for all your help, it was very nice of you to waste so much time helping me.:smile:

I followed these instructions and I can get it to work if I am linking to a top category, but if I am linking to a subcategory (example 141_145) it doesn't seem to work. Has anyone been able to get this to work for linking to subcategories?

I'm not sure at first glance why this wouldn't be working for you, but I do have two comments:

(off topic) From view source, you are missing a closing > in this img tag on your home page:

HTML Code:

---

<a href="http://www.fatvanish.com" target="_blank"><img src="images/frontpagefatvanish.gif" width="220" height="276" alt="Learn How to Lose Weight (Fat) at www.FatVanish.com"</a></center>

---

The way you have your multiple category boxes arranged and styled, you could achieve the exact same effect with Categories Dressing using non-linked headings, and much less coding.


For the multiple boxes:
Can you post the line where you test for cPaths to display? I presume you are using a version of this

PHP Code:

---

     if(in_array(str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path']), explode(",",'3,21,21_57'))) { 


---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gjh42

I'm not sure at first glance why this wouldn't be working for you, but I do have two comments:

(off topic) From view source, you are missing a closing > in this img tag on your home page:

HTML Code:

---

<a href="http://www.fatvanish.com" target="_blank"><img src="images/frontpagefatvanish.gif" width="220" height="276" alt="Learn How to Lose Weight (Fat) at www.FatVanish.com"</a></center>

---

---

Thanks for that info. I have now fixed that.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gjh42

The way you have your multiple category boxes arranged and styled, you could achieve the exact same effect with Categories Dressing using non-linked headings, and much less coding.

---

I never even looked into this. I just found this post and it looked like it would accomplish what I was looking for, so that's what I did. Out of curiousity, would there be a way using either the methods discussed in this thread, or with the categories dressing mod to have a category link directly to a different website? Underneath our Diet & Exercise Routines heading, I would like to have a category called "Muscle Building Program" that links to MuscleNOW.com (opening in a new window), and "Weight Loss Program" that links to FatVanish.com (also opening in a new window) instead of linking to a page within Zencart. Is there a way I could do this considering I'm pretty limited in PHP knowledge?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gjh42

For the multiple boxes:
Can you post the line where you test for cPaths to display? I presume you are using a version of this

PHP Code:

---

     if(in_array(str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path']), explode(",",'3,21,21_57'))) { 


---

---

Below is that code:

PHP Code:

---

if(in_array(str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path']), explode(",",'81,69,156,66'))) { 


---

The select part is simple - you are not asking for the subcategories to be displayed:

explode(",",'81,69,156,66')

This will display top categories 81, 69, 156 and 66, but you also need to specify all of their subcategories individually.

PHP Code:

---

explode(",",'81,81_199,81_200,81_203,69,69_177,69_178,156,156_235,156_236,66,66_212,66_213') 


---

The code could be reworked to do this automatically, but I didn't get into that at the time since the original code worked.

This will strip off the subcategory numbers (if any) before testing for categories to display. You will only need to list the top categories, and all of their subs will be included.

PHP Code:

---

     if (in_array(str_replace(strstr($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],"_"),"",str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path'])), explode(",",'3,21,27'))) { 


---

With either multiple category boxes or Categories Dressing, you could add code to the appropriate copy of tpl_categories.php to say "if category equals ##, $content = '<a href=your_external_link etc.>' ". Simple, though of course the statement has to be written just right and put in the right location.

You would have "dummy" categories for each of these, which nobody would ever actually be visiting, as their links would go offsite instead.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gjh42

With either multiple category boxes or Categories Dressing, you could add code to the appropriate copy of tpl_categories.php to say "if category equals ##, $content = '<a href=your_external_link etc.>' ". Simple, though of course the statement has to be written just right and put in the right location.

You would have "dummy" categories for each of these, which nobody would ever actually be visiting, as their links would go offsite instead.

---

That makes sense, I just have no idea how to write it. I'm not sure how complicated it would be, but if you (or anyone) get a chance to help me out, I would appreciate it.

In /includes/templates/your_template/sideboxes/tpl_categories.php, around line 31 find

PHP Code:

---

     if (zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)

      } else {
      $content .= '<a class="' . $new_style . '" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_DEFAULT, $box_categories_array[$i]['path']) . '">'; 


---

and add elseif sections to get this

PHP Code:

---

     if (zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)

      } elseif ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=23') {
      $content .= '<a class="exLink" href="your_MuscleNOW.com_url" target="_blank">Muscle Building Program</a><br />' . "\n";
      } elseif ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=24') {
      $content .= '<a class="exLink" href="your_FatVanish.com_url" target="_blank">Weight Loss Program</a><br />' . "\n";

      } else {
      $content .= '<a class="' . $new_style . '" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_DEFAULT, $box_categories_array[$i]['path']) . '">'; 


---

Replace 23 and 24 with the appropriate category id's, and

your_MuscleNOW.com_url

with the actual URL.

I haven't tested this, so if anything needs tweaking, let me know.
You may want to style
.exLink { }
in your stylesheet.

You could use a variant of this code to display ez-page links at desired points in the list.

Create a dummy category for each block of links you want, and give it a sort order to put it in the proper place in the list. Then use the elseif snippets to display the links:

PHP Code:

---

     if (zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)

      } elseif ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=23') {
      $content .= '<a class="ezpLink" href="' . zen_ez_pages_link(6) . '" target="_blank">EZ-Page Number 6</a><br />' . "\n";
      $content .= '<a class="ezpLink" href="' . zen_ez_pages_link(7) . '" target="_blank">EZ-Page Number 7</a><br />' . "\n";
      } elseif ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=24') {
      $content .= '<a class="ezpLink" href="' . zen_ez_pages_link(9) . '" target="_blank">EZ-Page Number 9</a><br />' . "\n";

      } else {
      $content .= '<a class="' . $new_style . '" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_DEFAULT, $box_categories_array[$i]['path']) . '">'; 


---

(Scrap the target="_blank" if you don't want the ez-pages to open in a new window.)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by webomat

Hi,

I'm coming late to this discussion, but there's a pretty simple way to my mind... something similar to what I've done with a site that had special needs re displaying the categories. Simply modify a function/query in the \includes\classes\category_tree.php to select based on the top level category.

Here's an overview....

1. Set up an Adult Category that contains all the categories of adult clothing; set up one for Teens and one for Children.

2. Write down the Category ID # for each of them.

3. In \includes\classes\category_tree.php you need to duplicate the entire "function zen_category_tree" section, renaming the function... for instance, "function zen_adult_tree".

4. Find this section and add the text in red, replacing the # with your number from Step 2 above:

Code:

---

    if ($product_type == 'all') { // added c.categories_id specific here bpeters
      $categories_query = "select c.categories_id, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id, c.categories_image
                            from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd
                            where c.parent_id = 0
                            and c.categories_id = #
                            and c.categories_id = cd.categories_id
                            and cd.language_id='" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
                            and c.categories_status= 1
                            order by sort_order, cd.categories_name";
    } else

---

5. Duplicate the Categories Sidebox, title it Adult or whatever... change the function call to call the newly defined "tree" in \includes\modules\sideboxes\[your template]\categories.php as shown in red text:

Code:

---

// don't build a tree when no categories
    $check_categories = $db->Execute("select categories_id from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " where categories_status=1 limit 1");
    if ($check_categories->RecordCount() > 0) {
      $box_categories_array = $main_category_tree->zen_adult_tree();
    }

---

Of course changing adult to whatever you need for each box.

6. I don't know if you'll need to change anything if you're using the Site Map contrib or not, so you might want to check if that applies to your site.

7. Be aware that the categories may not be expanded in the sidebox to display the subcategories all the time, and the boxes would have one link to "Adult Clothing" and not show anything else until you click on the category link itself. I can't remember what the upshot of this was, because I made additional changes beyond this for that site to meet their specific needs. But that sticks in my mind for some reason.

** Be advised that the mod to the class file will be overwritten during an upgrade, so be sure to save a copy of that file elsewhere -- there is no override in that section. And modifying core code is not always best, but this works and is easy. "-)

I got this from digging around in the forum, found an old post by Ajeh I think that mentioned this method of doing something similar. Anyway, just an idea in case you don't get the other thing working.

Just my two cents!

Cheers,

Becky

---

I know its close to a year after you posted this, but THANK YOU! I modified the category tree function (after cloning it) so that I don't have to make more than one copy of it. Basically, I pass in a parameter along with the "zen_custom_tree" function.. and it auto fills the part of the query for me.

Also, if you want it to show all the sub categories instead of the top level only, change the following code:

Code:

---

$categories_query = "select c.categories_id, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id, c.categories_image
                            from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd
                            where c.parent_id = #
                            and c.categories_id = cd.categories_id

---

Or you can use simple category tree, which allows you to build just any branch of the category tree you want, given the category id. That way you can divide the tree and put in in multiple blocks.

On my site i put the parent cat on the header, and the sub-cats on the left column.

Anybody that know how to get this fuction working would love the Help, I have 3 cats and would like subs showing in each cat. But All I can get to show is one cat in the first cat but the others are blank. Even tried making my subs as top cats and call them in but the code only seems to call in the cpath and nothing after it. But nothing in my following 2 cat boxes

my code from tpl_catergories_rock_roll.php
$cPTest = $box_categories_array[$i]['path'];
if (in_array(str_replace(strstr($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],"_"),"",str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path'])), explode(",",'111,112,75'))) {

Any ideas thanks who can spare some time for me :frusty:

Coming from your other thread (3 catergories in different sideboxes - Help), my first comment would be that if you want the boxes all in one column as your site shows now, you could have done it much easier by tweaking Categories Dressing than by cloning the sideboxes. Since you have done that work, it will now be easier to complete the category sorting in your new sideboxes.

To recap the basic sorting code, since there are so many incomplete or inaccurate versions in previous posts, this will execute the code if the category being evaluated is in the list of cPaths in the explode function.

PHP Code:

---

$cPTest = str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path']);
if(in_array($cPTest, explode(",",'3,7,7_25'))) {
  // code to be executed
} 


---

Note that the numbers are in one string, separated by commas and no spaces, and surrounded by one pair of quotes ' '.

I will address your case next.

Since your setup has one top category per box, and you won't want to display that as a category, only the subcategories below it, you will need to use an expanded categories mod. One that has proven reliable for situations like yours is fragfutter's Uncollapsed Categories Tree, hosted on his own site.

Another possibility is to use yellow1912's Simple Category Tree mod (see his sig above). This would also include the ability to directly control the categories being displayed in each box.

For either of these you will need to get help from their creators or people who have used them, as I have not used either of them myself. Once you have worked this out, come back and I will have some display code for your situation.

A third option, since you presumably will not be displaying the top categories themselves but only their subs, would be to move the subs to become top categories themselves, keeping the current tops only as names on the boxes. Then you can display all of the first level of categories with no further coding required.

A quick way to include all subcategories of a particular top cat is to type cast the value as an integer; any numbers following an _ will be discarded.

PHP Code:

---

$cPTest = (int)str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path']);
if(in_array($cPTest, explode(",",'3,7,7_25'))) {
  // code to be executed
} 


---

With three boxes to display different categories, copy this code into each one and adjust the numbers to reflect the desired top categories for that box.

For actual use in a version of tpl_categories.php, find this

PHP Code:

---

     if (zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)
      } else { 


---

and change to this

PHP Code:

---

     $cPTest = (int)str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path']);
     if ((!in_array($cPTest, explode(",",'3,7,7_25'))) or zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)
      } else { 


---

Hi

I have walked away for awhile try'd almost every expanded cat Mod out there, Couldn't get any of them to work.

So I did your plan moved all cats to the top and used your code and it all works great. You have no idea how thankful I am for you help.

Thank you

hey Glenn (GJH42) seems your quite an authority on the categories manipulation.

Do you know if it is possible to use the methods you have described in the posts above to have the category sidebox that only displays the sub cats of the top level you are in ?

You would chose the top level using the Category tabs at the top of the page , then the categories sidebox just show the subs of that top level one your in .

thanks for any advice.

That's very easy.

In /includes/templates/your_template/sideboxes/tpl_categories.php, find this

PHP Code:

---

     if (zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)
      } else { 


---

and add

substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0 or

to the if test to get this

PHP Code:

---

// subcat limit 2007-12-20
      if (substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0 or zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)
      } else { 


---

The number of underscores in $box_categories_array[$i]['path'] indicates the category level, with 0 being a top cat.

The code can also be used to hide lower level subcats, with

$box_categories_array[$i]['path'] > 1

For more discussion of this, see the original thread Hide top category - Skip to subcategories.

Cheers pal that works great .

Do you have examples of others that have done it ? just wanted to see what they do for the home page , maybe put another if statement in to ignore if home page ?

can i also ask if I wanted to change the Sidebox title to the top level cat ...

I assume i would change this bit

$title = BOX_HEADING_CATEGORIES;

But not sure what to put in there . Thanks

The simplest way to deal with this is to make an exception for the current top cat, so that it displays in the sidebox. Then it can be styled to look like a box title, and the real box title can be hidden with CSS.

change the new code to

(substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0 and !$box_categories_array[$i]['current']) or

and add it to the if test to get this

PHP Code:

---

// subcat limit 2007-12-20
      if ((substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0 and !$box_categories_array[$i]['current']) or zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)
      } else { 


---

hello i been trying too many diferents ways but is not working for me can anybody help me with this

i try and i want this like from crazycucumber post#43

Quote:

---

Do you know if it is possible to use the methods you have described in the posts above to have the category sidebox that only displays the sub cats of the top level you are in ?

You would chose the top level using the Category tabs at the top of the page , then the categories sidebox just show the subs of that top level one your in .

---

i Glenn has the anwser but i cant figure out :(

one of my top categories is 2
TOP Categorie
2

Subs
2_7
2_8
2_9

where i put this?

from Glenn

Quote:

---

That's very easy.

In /includes/templates/your_template/sideboxes/tpl_categories.php, find this
PHP Code:
if (zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
// skip if this is for the document box (==3)
} else {

and add

substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0 or

to the if test to get this

PHP Code:
// subcat limit 2007-12-20
if (substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0 or zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
// skip if this is for the document box (==3)
} else {

The number of underscores in $box_categories_array[$i]['path'] indicates the category level, with 0 being a top cat.

The code can also be used to hide lower level subcats, with

$box_categories_array[$i]['path'] > 1

---

i try exactly how glenn explain but im only getting errors blank pages....im only see my header

thanks

What exactly does that area of your tpl_categories.php look like now?

hello glenn.....this is what i have right now

Quote:

---

<?php
/**
* Side Box Template
*
* @package templateSystem
* @copyright Copyright 2003-2006 Zen Cart Development Team
* @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
* @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
* @version $Id: tpl_categories.php 4162 2006-08-17 03:55:02Z ajeh $
*/
$content = "";

$content .= '<div id="' . str_replace('_', '-', $box_id . 'Content') . '" class="sideBoxContent">' . "\n";
for ($i=0;$i<sizeof($box_categories_array);$i++) {
/* test for cats to display */
if ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == ('cPath=2' or 'cPath=2_7' or 'cPath=2_8' or 'cPath=2_9')) {

switch(true) {
// to make a specific category stand out define a new class in the stylesheet example: A.category-holiday
// uncomment the select below and set the cPath=3 to the cPath= your_categories_id
// many variations of this can be done
// case ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=2'):
// $new_style = 'category-holiday';
// break;
case ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] == 'true'):
$new_style = 'category-top';
break;
case ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']):
$new_style = 'category-subs';
break;
default:
$new_style = 'category-products';
}


// subcat limit 2007-12-20
if (substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'2') == 0 or zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 2 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
// skip if this is for the document box (==2)
} else {


$content .= '<a class="' . $new_style . '" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_DEFAULT, $box_categories_array[$i]['path']) . '">';

if ($box_categories_array[$i]['current']) {
if ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']) {
$content .= '<span class="category-subs-parent">' . $box_categories_array[$i]['name'] . '</span>';
} else {
$content .= '<span class="category-subs-selected">' . $box_categories_array[$i]['name'] . '</span>';
}
} else {
$content .= $box_categories_array[$i]['name'];
}

if ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']) {
$content .= CATEGORIES_SEPARATOR;
}
$content .= '</a>';

if (SHOW_COUNTS == 'true') {
if ((CATEGORIES_COUNT_ZERO == '1' and $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] == 0) or $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] >= 1) {
$content .= CATEGORIES_COUNT_PREFIX . $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] . CATEGORIES_COUNT_SUFFIX;
}
}

$content .= '<br />' . "\n";
}
} /* end cat display test */
/* clubewear for cats to display */
if ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == ('cPath=1' or 'cPath=1_3')) {

switch(true) {
// to make a specific category stand out define a new class in the stylesheet example: A.category-holiday
// uncomment the select below and set the cPath=3 to the cPath= your_categories_id
// many variations of this can be done
// case ($box_categories_array[$i]['path'] == 'cPath=1'):
// $new_style = 'category-holiday';
// break;
case ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] == 'true'):
$new_style = 'category-top';
break;
case ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']):
$new_style = 'category-subs';
break;
default:
$new_style = 'category-products';
}


// subcat limit 2007-12-20
if (substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'1') == 0 or zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 1 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
// skip if this is for the document box (==1)
} else {


$content .= '<a class="' . $new_style . '" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_DEFAULT, $box_categories_array[$i]['path']) . '">';

if ($box_categories_array[$i]['current']) {
if ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']) {
$content .= '<span class="category-subs-parent">' . $box_categories_array[$i]['name'] . '</span>';
} else {
$content .= '<span class="category-subs-selected">' . $box_categories_array[$i]['name'] . '</span>';
}
} else {
$content .= $box_categories_array[$i]['name'];
}

if ($box_categories_array[$i]['has_sub_cat']) {
$content .= CATEGORIES_SEPARATOR;
}
$content .= '</a>';

if (SHOW_COUNTS == 'true') {
if ((CATEGORIES_COUNT_ZERO == '1' and $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] == 0) or $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] >= 1) {
$content .= CATEGORIES_COUNT_PREFIX . $box_categories_array[$i]['count'] . CATEGORIES_COUNT_SUFFIX;
}
}

$content .= '<br />' . "\n";
}
} /* end cat display clubwear */
}

if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_SPECIALS == 'true' or SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_NEW == 'true' or SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_FEATURED_PRODUCTS == 'true' or SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_ALL == 'true') {
// display a separator between categories and links
if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_SEPARATOR_LINK == '1') {
$content .= '<hr id="catBoxDivider" />' . "\n";
}
if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_SPECIALS == 'true') {
$show_this = $db->Execute("select s.products_id from " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s where s.status= 1 limit 1");
if ($show_this->RecordCount() > 0) {
$content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_SPECIALS) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_SPECIALS . '</a>' . '<br />' . "\n";
}
}
if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_NEW == 'true') {
// display limits
// $display_limit = zen_get_products_new_timelimit();
$display_limit = zen_get_new_date_range();

$show_this = $db->Execute("select p.products_id
from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p
where p.products_status = 1 " . $display_limit . " limit 1");
if ($show_this->RecordCount() > 0) {
$content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_PRODUCTS_NEW) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_WHATS_NEW . '</a>' . '<br />' . "\n";
}
}
if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_FEATURED_PRODUCTS == 'true') {
$show_this = $db->Execute("select products_id from " . TABLE_FEATURED . " where status= 1 limit 1");
if ($show_this->RecordCount() > 0) {
$content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_FEATURED_PRODUCTS) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_FEATURED_PRODUCTS . '</a>' . '<br />' . "\n";
}
}
if (SHOW_CATEGORIES_BOX_PRODUCTS_ALL == 'true') {
$content .= '<a class="category-links" href="' . zen_href_link(FILENAME_PRODUCTS_ALL) . '">' . CATEGORIES_BOX_HEADING_PRODUCTS_ALL . '</a>' . "\n";
}
}
$content .= '</div>';
?>

---

i try with 2 of my categories

thank you

// subcat limit 2007-12-20
if (substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'2') == 0 or

This is going to hide the category if there are no "2" characters in the category's cPath.

I somehow don't think this will give the results you want.

If you want to hide all of your top cats, use the code exactly as I first gave it:

if (substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0 or ...

Hi Glenn , hopefully your monitoring this thread , and I apologise for keep coming back on this one. Usually once shown I understand , this category array is very confusing ( to me )

Anyway At the moment I followed your code and it works great I have only the sub cats showing for any one top cat - the question is if I am at home page or anyother page thats not in a Cat , can I have the top cats back ?

Thanks for any help.

Mark

You can add a test for cPath not blank or zero. It will have a value if you are in a category. Something like:

if (($_GET[cPath] != 0 and substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0) or ...

It may require a slightly different formulation, but this general approach should work.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gjh42

You can add a test for cPath not blank or zero. It will have a value if you are in a category. Something like:

if (($_GET[cPath] != 0 and substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0) or ...

It may require a slightly different formulation, but this general approach should work.

---

Spot on !! :clap::clap::clap:

Thanks that is just what I needed , for anyone else needing the same as me , this is a section from my tpl_categories :-

PHP Code:

---

// subcat limit 2007-12-20
      if (($_GET[cPath] != 0 and substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0) or zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)
      } else { 


---

Thanks again .

Thanks for your help on this.

I have a couple of other questions, that mayby you can help me with.

Can I set a default catagory to show when someone goes to the home page.

Also is it possible to show the current catagory selected where the catagory box title is.

A bit off the subject but I am aslo struggling to find the correct place in the stylesheet.css for the the header bar and the side box sub catagories. I want to show which catagory is currently selected, by changing colour, and also show a hover and selcted colour change in the sub catagories in the sidebox.

Thanks for any help.

Regards
Laurie

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chalfontgifts

Thanks for your help on this.

I have a couple of other questions, that mayby you can help me with.

Can I set a default catagory to show when someone goes to the home page.

---

This is done in the admin / Config / layout settings

Main Page - Opens with Category = enter the cat ID in here

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by chalfontgifts

Also is it possible to show the current catagory selected where the catagory box title is.


Thanks for any help.

Regards
Laurie

---

I tried to do this to never did find a way to do it and gave up for the time being , but would be interested in a soldi way of achieving this as it should be easy enough to have a dynamic language define to sort it out.

Good luck !

Solution for the above is posted here, Thank you glen.

http://www.zen-cart.com/forum/showth...955#post607955

For the cetegory selected/hover indication, look at the /classic/ stylesheet. There is a section for parent/child categories which shows the classes you can address.

Well, I was really sure I could get it working without assistance... It *does* work, but not on the home page, and I'm seriously stumped.

I'm going for the "subcats only" variant here, one top category per box. The relevant snippets of code are below:

PHP Code:

---

  /* test for cats to display */
    if(in_array(str_replace("cPath=","",$box_categories_array[$i]['path']), explode(",",'2,2_4,2_5'))) { 


---

So only Cpath 2 and the two subcats that are set up at the moment... fairly simple.

PHP Code:

---

// subcat limit 2007-12-20
      if (substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0 or zen_get_product_types_to_category($box_categories_array[$i]['path']) == 3 or ($box_categories_array[$i]['top'] != 'true' and SHOW_CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_ALWAYS != 1)) {
        // skip if this is for the document box (==3)
      } else { 


---

And the subcat code, which works. Except the box shows empty on the home page. If I go to the top category listing, or a product, or anywhere else, I get just the two subcats in the box as I want it.

How is this possible? Thanks in advance for any advice.

When you are on the home page, you haven't chosen a category (unless you have set "Main Page opens with" to a specific category); therefore, $cPath will be empty and none of your chosen cats will display.

This bit of code
if (substr_count($box_categories_array[$i]['path'],'_') == 0
skips all top categories in the display all the time.

The
if(in_array(
already only displays the categories or subs you specify. Since you don't want any top cats, eliminate the substr_count( part, and eliminate the 2, in the explode( function.

OK, a bit of clarification.
You have done the "separate boxes" cloning bit?
And you are wanting to display the subcats of one category in one of the boxes, all the time?

Do you have an expanded categories mod installed? If not, there will be no subcats in the category tree to display unless you are in the particular top cat.

The scenario is three top categories, in three boxes, showing only their subcategories, all the time. The boxes should be the same on whatever page you're looking at.

I have cloned one box, and was planning to make one that worked right that I could clone for the others.

I see what you mean about the substr_count( bit... I understood what it was doing, but didn't put two and two together (literally) that it was a redundant operation.

I do not have an expanded cats mod... I read that portion of the discussion several times, but somehow came to the conclusion that this would work without it. It seems I was wrong here :frusty:

yellow1912's link seems to be unavailable at the moment, it sounds closer to what I'm trying to do. Is there another source of that mod?

thanks for your help

I don't believe yellow1912's mods are available anywhere but on his site, unless someone has a copy they can send you. I have a copy, though I'm not sure it is the latest version, and will zip & send it if you want.

hi i am after some help please, i have been working on making 3 separated cat boxes as explained by webomat very detialed but i am having problems i keep getting phase errors im sure this is becauce im copying the function incorectly would any one be able to show me where the functions needs to be pasted in sorry but my php is very limited i need to duplicate the function "zen_category_tree" and rename the new function to "zen_clear_tree", ive managed to get everything else working ie additional side box showing all categories on the main page i have attached my file below if anyone could help it would be very much appriciated ive been racking my brain for the last 7 hours with no luck, a donation wouldnt be a problem


// $Id: category_tree.php 290 2004-09-15 19:48:26Z wilt $
//

class category_tree {

function zen_category_tree($product_type = "all") {
global $db, $cPath, $cPath_array;
if ($product_type != 'all') {
$sql = "select type_master_type from " . TABLE_PRODUCT_TYPES . "
where type_master_type = '" . $product_type . "'";
$master_type_result = $db->Execute($sql);
$master_type = $master_type_result->fields['type_master_type'];
}
$this->tree = array();
if ($product_type == 'all') {
$categories_query = "select c.categories_id, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id
from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd
where c.parent_id = '0'
and c.categories_id = cd.categories_id
and cd.language_id='" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
and c.categories_status= '1'
order by sort_order, cd.categories_name";
} else {
$categories_query = "select ptc.category_id as categories_id, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id
from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd, " . TABLE_PRODUCT_TYPES_TO_CATEGORY . " ptc
where c.parent_id = '0'
and ptc.category_id = cd.categories_id
and ptc.product_type_id = '" . $master_type . "'
and c.categories_id = ptc.category_id
and cd.language_id='" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] ."'
and c.categories_status= '1'
order by sort_order, cd.categories_name";
}
$categories = $db->Execute($categories_query, '', true, 150);
while (!$categories->EOF) {
$this->tree[$categories->fields['categories_id']] = array('name' => $categories->fields['categories_name'],
'parent' => $categories->fields['parent_id'],
'level' => 0,
'path' => $categories->fields['categories_id'],
'next_id' => false);

if (isset($parent_id)) {
$this->tree[$parent_id]['next_id'] = $categories->fields['categories_id'];
}

$parent_id = $categories->fields['categories_id'];

if (!isset($first_element)) {
$first_element = $categories->fields['categories_id'];
}
$categories->MoveNext();
}
if (zen_not_null($cPath)) {
$new_path = '';
reset($cPath_array);
while (list($key, $value) = each($cPath_array)) {
unset($parent_id);
unset($first_id);
if ($product_type == 'all') {
$categories_query = "select c.categories_id, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id
from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd
where c.parent_id = '" . (int)$value . "'
and c.categories_id = cd.categories_id
and cd.language_id='" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
and c.categories_status= '1'
order by sort_order, cd.categories_name";
} else {
/*
$categories_query = "select ptc.category_id as categories, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id
from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd, " . TABLE_PRODUCT_TYPES_TO_CATEGORY . " ptc
where c.parent_id = '" . (int)$value . "'
and ptc.category_id = cd.categories_id
and ptc.product_type_id = '" . $master_type . "'
and cd.language_id='" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
and c.categories_status= '1'
order by sort_order, cd.categories_name";
*/
$categories_query = "select ptc.category_id as categories_id, cd.categories_name, c.parent_id
from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " . TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd, " . TABLE_PRODUCT_TYPES_TO_CATEGORY . " ptc
where c.parent_id = '" . (int)$value . "'
and ptc.category_id = cd.categories_id
and ptc.product_type_id = '" . $master_type . "'
and c.categories_id = ptc.category_id
and cd.language_id='" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] ."'
and c.categories_status= '1'
order by sort_order, cd.categories_name";

}

$rows = $db->Execute($categories_query);

if ($rows->RecordCount()>0) {
$new_path .= $value;
while (!$rows->EOF) {
$this->tree[$rows->fields['categories_id']] = array('name' => $rows->fields['categories_name'],
'parent' => $rows->fields['parent_id'],
'level' => $key+1,
'path' => $new_path . '_' . $rows->fields['categories_id'],
'next_id' => false);

if (isset($parent_id)) {
$this->tree[$parent_id]['next_id'] = $rows->fields['categories_id'];
}

$parent_id = $rows->fields['categories_id'];
if (!isset($first_id)) {
$first_id = $rows->fields['categories_id'];
}

$last_id = $rows->fields['categories_id'];
$rows->MoveNext();
}
$this->tree[$last_id]['next_id'] = $this->tree[$value]['next_id'];
$this->tree[$value]['next_id'] = $first_id;
$new_path .= '_';
} else {
break;
}
}
}
$row = 0;
return $this->zen_show_category($first_element, $row);
}

function zen_show_category($counter,$ii) {
global $cPath_array;

$this->categories_string = "";

for ($i=0; $i<$this->tree[$counter]['level']; $i++) {
if ($this->tree[$counter]['parent'] != 0) {
$this->categories_string .= CATEGORIES_SUBCATEGORIES_INDENT;
}
}


if ($this->tree[$counter]['parent'] == 0) {
$cPath_new = 'cPath=' . $counter;
$this->box_categories_array[$ii]['top'] = 'true';
} else {
$this->box_categories_array[$ii]['top'] = 'false';
$cPath_new = 'cPath=' . $this->tree[$counter]['path'];
$this->categories_string .= CATEGORIES_SEPARATOR_SUBS;
}
$this->box_categories_array[$ii]['path'] = $cPath_new;

if (isset($cPath_array) && in_array($counter, $cPath_array)) {
$this->box_categories_array[$ii]['current'] = true;
}

// display category name
$this->box_categories_array[$ii]['name'] = $this->categories_string . $this->tree[$counter]['name'];


if (zen_has_category_subcategories($counter)) {
$this->box_categories_array[$ii]['has_sub_cat'] = true;
}

if (SHOW_COUNTS == 'true') {
$products_in_category = zen_count_products_in_category($counter);
if ($products_in_category > 0) {
$this->box_categories_array[$ii]['count'] = $products_in_category;
}
}

if ($this->tree[$counter]['next_id'] != false) {
$ii++;
$this->zen_show_category($this->tree[$counter]['next_id'], $ii);
}
return $this->box_categories_array;
}
}
?>

:smile:

hi everyone ive manged to get my problem sorted so everyone nos i used the blank side box download then added links to the relevent cats and duplicate the new side boxes with amendments, although this wont update in admin it seems to work fine if anyone needs help setting this up please message me

I am trying to follow all of this but I'm a bit confused about what exactly needs to be done to: show separate sideboxes for each category with subcategories always showing, like I have here.

Is this correct?

Clone categories sidebox for each category that I want, then follow instructions in Glenn's post #41

Or did I miss something?

It would be great if someone would made this into a mod, like More Category Boxes for Osc. And by the way, would any of that code work for Zen Cart????

I had thought about making up this mod, but with v2.0 just around the corner, I don't feel like making the substantial investment of time now for something that will have to be redone from scratch for the new version.

And no, the osC code will likely not be useful at all.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gjh42

I had thought about making up this mod, but with v2.0 just around the corner, I don't feel like making the substantial investment of time now for something that will have to be redone from scratch for the new version.

And no, the osC code will likely not be useful at all.

---

Ah, didn't know there was new version coming out.

So, does post 41 contain the correct code to use?

What I've done so far is use Blank Sideboxes to create a new sidebox for each parent category that I want. I have hardcoded the links for now, but I'd rather just have them created automatically...I think --

If I change the categories around, I have to change the links in the pages. But I would have the change the code too, so I guess I don't really need to do anything...unless I'm missing something I should be thinking of...

Yes, the post 41 code should work for cloned categories sideboxes, to display only topcats listed in the explode and their subcats.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by gjh42

Yes, the post 41 code should work for cloned categories sideboxes, to display only topcats listed in the explode and their subcats.

---

Thanks, Glenn!

I hope this is the right post

Hello, I have the 1.3.8a and I have to add 3 sideboxes.
I have a store of toys

I would to add
- 1 box on the left under categories, with the links at the producer, so for example Mattel, and if I click on Mattel it shows all Mattel products.

- 1 box on right on which insert link with boy and girl so when I click on girl I see all products for girl
-1 box on right on which insert the different ages

how can I do?
and to have the selector by age or genre (boy or girl) I have to add options or attributes before?

Thank you very much
:smile:

In next version 2.0 it will be implemented this mod or at the start it will not be?
:dontgetit