passing strings from listboxes?

[thomak]

Is it possible to pass strings from list boxes to zen-cart to display in the cart? It is easier for me to build the product with its variations on my page and send the string, than to build a database of over 1000 parts, and it would save steps. I'm a newcomer to shopping carts but I can get by on php. Thanks

[RodG]

Is it possible to pass strings from list boxes to zen-cart to display in the cart?

Anything is possible, with the right code.

It is easier for me to build the product with its variations on my page and send the string, than to build a database of over 1000 parts,

I fail to see the logic in this statement. If this IS going to be easier for you then you wouldn't be asking how to do it would you? (Or are you testing to see if we know your methods?)

and it would save steps.

On what basis do you make this assumption?

I'm a newcomer to shopping carts but I can get by on php. Thanks

It seems to me that you are approaching this the wrong way. It appears that you want to force zencart into adhereing to your methods and skills, where as in practice, you should probably be adapting your knowledge and skills to fit in with the zencart way of doing things.

Just my 2cents worth.

Cheers
Rod

[gjh42]

build the product with its variations on my page and send the string, than to build a database of over 1000 parts

It's not an either/or situation. You need to have the parts or the products with variations in one way or another stored in your Zen Cart database. Then it is possible to make an add to cart action from a remote page, if that will really work better for you and for your customers.

[thomak]

I am not trying to test anyone, I simply wanted to take information from list boxes and pass them thru the url to the shopping cart and display that information. I had most of that done already on the site I was building for a friend, then they wanted a shopping cart. Building a database of identical sized parts except in 6 colors just seems like too much and if the customer has to drill down on the site to locate what he wants, then go to the cart and drill down to find it again - its not smooth. Am I approaching the databas settup incorrectly?

[gjh42]

If you insist on creating your own custom method of getting to individual products instead of using or adapting Zen Cart's method, you can build a URL that will take you directly to the final selected product in the cart, as Kuroi described in one of his posts. And yes, you are probably approaching the database incorrectly if you are making 6 individual products for a product that comes in 6 colors. You would use attributes for the colors.