Featured catagory php require(*)

[ssmith.cp]

Hey Guys,

I am a fresh install of ZC 1.3.9b installed on my local computer being served by XAMPP using PHP 5.3.1, MySQL 5.3 and Apache 2.2.14 (all of which is probably not important ).

I have a section on my header where I want to create a link that says "Checkout out (blah) category!" where (blah) is the name, and the name, and corresponding link, to the category listed on the top in the category box.

The code in the category sidebox uses the $box_categories_array variable which holds this information which is created in the includes/modules/sideboxes/categories.php file:

$main_category_tree = new category_tree;
    $row = 0;
    $box_categories_array = array();

// 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_category_tree();
    }
... 

What is the proper convention to require this file in my tpl_header.php file. I am looking for one line of php that looks something like

require(*some magic ZC function calls with constants*); 

thanks

[DrByte]

What you're describing isn't very clear. I'm confused about whether you're trying to draw attention to just one category, or always to the first sub-cat within a category, or whether it's to promote certain products/categories on a revolving basis.

What you've proposed will just double the amount of hits to the database, resulting in slowed performance.

I think it would be more effective for you to use a built-in tool like the Banner Manager to draw attention to individual promotions. It's already built-in to the tpl_header, so would be simply a matter of configuring the banner appropriately.
No PHP or additional database hits required.

[ssmith.cp]

My goal:
I want to generate a link that points to a category of products. For example if a category is named "Education" the link would say "Check out our Education Category!"

It would also be cool if the link was dynamically created to point to the category that is displayed first in the category sidebox.

How I'd like to do it:
Import the same function that generates the category sidebox; this will probably be accomplished by requiring the /modules/sideboxes/categories.php file.

The question I am asking:
What require statement would import the category.php file correctly utilizing the zen-cart framework. Or, if there is an alternate implementation, I'm open to suggestions .


I understand there will be more database calls if I do it this way, do you have an alternate implementation.

Thanks for the response DrByte.

[gjh42]

Are your categories going to be constantly changing in their display order? (This would be a very bad idea for customer familiarity.) Or are you going to be frequently making new categories which would display at the top of the list?
If not, by far the simplest solution would be to make a link in tpl_header.php with your desired text, pointing to <a href="index.php?main_page=index&amp;cPath=23"> where 23 is replaced by the cPath to the desired category.

[DrByte]

My goal:
I want to generate a link that points to a category of products. For example if a category is named "Education" the link would say "Check out our Education Category!"

It would also be cool if the link was dynamically created to point to the category that is displayed first in the category sidebox.

Forgive me for the slight bunny-trail here ...
I'm having a hard time figuring out why that's somehow important to the visitor? If they've already clicked on "Education", why do you need to pester them to "Check out our Education Category!"? Feels like marketing bullying. It's that kinda stuff that makes me leave your website and go someplace else.

[ssmith.cp]

The "featured" category is the same on every page. We sell educational films and have often get visitors looking at particular categories. For example, in June we are going to a conference on early childhood development and I'd like a link in the header so prospective customers can easily view products in that category.

We have another conference in September for Gerontology. In that case, we would want to direct customers to that category.

Is it necessary that I explain why I want to do this?

[ssmith.cp]

Are your categories going to be constantly changing in their display order? (This would be a very bad idea for customer familiarity.) Or are you going to be frequently making new categories which would display at the top of the list?
If not, by far the simplest solution would be to make a link in tpl_header.php with your desired text, pointing to <a href="index.php?main_page=index&amp;cPath=23"> where 23 is replaced by the cPath to the desired category.

I didn't think about customer familiarity. I am using the cPath link right now...

Thanks for your input gjh42... I think I am going to do it this way

[DrByte]

Is it necessary that I explain why I want to do this?

Yes, and your own comments explain why:

I didn't think about customer familiarity. I am using the cPath link right now...

Many many many many times people come along here with preconceptions of complicated ways of doing something and waste days of their own time and that of volunteers and support persons on something that would be better done much smarter if the *real* reason behind the whole question was explained in the first place.
As you've just seen, it's beneficial to understand the reasoning or "business need" behind a "wish". Often the answer is much simpler than first anticipated.

[ssmith.cp]

Thanks Dr. Byte, lesson learned