rename database?

[Muzz]

Hello,

Upgrading from 1.3.8a to 1.3.9h.

I have:

Installed the NEW cart into a sub directory.
This is working.

Downloaded OLD cart to PC.

Downloaded NEW cart to PC.

Using Winmerge compared OLD and NEW carts.

Edited code where required for installed mods.

I wondered if I can rename a backup of the OLD database and upload?

Then upload edited cart files over writing new cart?

I wanted get the NEW cart fully working in the sub directory with ALL the files before moving the cart to the root and become the live cart.

If I can't do above. If I edit the NEW cart files configure files to point to the LIVE site. Is that ok?

Basically, I want to integrate database and files/mods of the LIVE 1.3.8a cart into the NEW 1.3.9h cart BEFORE making it the live cart.

Any help appreciated.

[DrByte]

I do NOT recommend that approach.

RENAMING IS NOT THE RIGHT METHOD.

The MUCH SAFER and wiser approach is this: (this is documented in more detail here: www.zen-cart.com/upgrade )
a) copy the old site to your PC
b) unzip the ORIGINAL files for the old version to your PC
c) unzip the new code to another folder on your PC
d) rebuild your site in the new folder, using WinMerge as a guide to identify the kinds of changes you find between (a) and (b)
e) when finished with (d), upload all the files from your new site folder to a NEW testing folder on your server, including the new zc_install folder
f) run zc_install from the test folder and do a new install, but point to a NEW testing database. Select to install the demo data.
g) make sure it works, using demo data
h) copy your old site database as per the Tutorial/FAQ and import it into your TEST database, this will replace all the demo data with your real data
i) run zc_install from the test folder, and now choose the database-upgrade option
j) now configure and tweak the new/test site, making notes of ALL the admin settings/changes you make (SO YOU CAN REDO THEM AGAIN QUICKLY WHEN YOU GO LIVE).
This includes detailed notes about any new addons you install and any SQL changes you make/run.

When satisfied that the TEST site is ready to go, THEN you go and do it again on the live site:
k) put live site down for maintenance
l) take a database backup and a full backup via FTP
m) Upload all the files for the new site into the real live site folder, including the new zc_install
n) Delete any files from the real live site folders which don't belong anymore.
o) Run zc_install on the real live site, and choose database-upgrade
p) REDO ALL THE ADMIN SETTINGS CHANGES and any SQL changes for any addons you updated/installed as part of the upgrade
q) TEST TEST TEST
r) when satisfied that it's ready to go, turn off down-for-maintenance.
s) take another COMPLETE backup of files (FTP) and database for peace of mind. Burn to a CD for safekeeping.

t) Delete your "test" database and "test" folder from your server, since they're not needed anymore, and shouldn't be left online.

[Muzz]

Alright.

Thanks for that.

It took hours comparing with winmerge.

Are there particular file or file paths I can ignore as Mods would not be used in those structures?

I have about 10 mods installed and it took hours going through everything. Most files had a change of date (so they come up as different) and some slight coding differences.

[Muzz]

Ignore above.. didn't think about comparison to original Zen Cart files will show me edited file paths and files much easier.

[DrByte]

Essentially just use WinMerge as a tool to quickly show you what you altered "last time" so you can quickly recreate the new site "this time", in the new version.
It makes the upgrade process very quick and simple that way.

[Muzz]

I wish it did make things easy but still massive job

Winmerge stating many files are different when they are exactly the same.

So I have to check many files I don't need too.

Referring to live site 1.3.8a with 1.3.8a original.