Currency Update (Automatic)

[DrByte]

Any chance someone will come up with an updated version using CURL to access European Central Bank? My server has allow_url_fopen disabled for security purposes. Thank you all.

The built-in currency update button works with CURL, and the ECB option is now part of the v1.4.0 core with CURL support. Just one more good thing about the next version, due out soon :)

[Dayo]

The built-in currency update button works with CURL, and the ECB option is now part of the v1.4.0 core with CURL support. Just one more good thing about the next version, due out soon :)

It is worth noting that unlike the Oanda and XE, the ECB based only publishes reference rates for a select set of currencies. If a user has a currency outside that set, the code sets the rate to 0 which can cause users some grief.

It is necessary to escape updating any currency that returns a null value and perhaps sending the site admin an email to inform of this issue.

[kuroi]

Agreed. And I certainly wouldn't recommend use of this mod for currencies not reported by the ECB. There's a link in the readme file bundled with the mod so that people can check what the currently reported currencies are.

That said, companies with access to the relevant foreign exchange information know that it is valuable and are generally trying to offer it at a price.

The ECB list was way ahead of the others that I could find that could be legitimately used in this way for this purpose. But if anybody knows of better, or even different, please do tell. Zen Cart's code is designed to support multiple provides of this information, so more sources could be added to fill in the gaps.

[Dayo]

Kuroi

Thanks for the work done. I only posted this because I read DrBytes' post that the mod was being included in the upcoming release.

You are correct that the ECB seems to actually encourage web developers to use them legally and I can't think of any other legit source.

Perhaps you can edit the mod to escape null rates. Something like below.

if ($rate != 0)
{
  $updateSql = "UPDATE " . TABLE_CURRENCIES . "
            SET value = '" . $rate . "',
            last_updated = now()
            WHERE currencies_id = '" . $currency['currencies_id']. "'";
  mysql_db_query(DB_DATABASE, $updateSql, $link);
}

Simply skipping such rates might be better than setting them to zero.

[nogal]

I have written a curled version of the 3.1 automatic currency update script.

automatic_currency_updates_3-1-curled.zip

[whitt]

What are the improvements of this new curled version v3.1 over the previous v2.0.1

Is it worth me replacing my current one?

[kuroi]

What are the improvements of this new curled version v3.1 over the previous v2.0.1

Is it worth me replacing my current one?

It does away with screen scraping, is more future proof, is the apporach now built into Zen Cart 2.0 and is legal. But it has less currencies.

[KES99]

I have written a curled version of the 3.1 automatic currency update script.

automatic_currency_updates_3-1-curled.zip

Well done...this was the only one that worked for me....curl (required on servers running PhpSuExec) and EU central bank.

How often to run your cron? Well not that often..once a day is enough... ecb.int/stats/exchange/eurofxref/html/index.en.html states: The reference rates are based on the regular daily concertation procedure between central banks within and outside the European System of Central Banks, which normally takes place at 2.15 p.m. CET.

Why run it more often if the rates only update once a day!!!!!

Time your CRON......work out the time difference between your server and CET (GMT+1 or +2 when daylight saving in effect) go backwards or forwards (depends on where your server is) from 2.15pm (14:15) and that's the time to set your cron...actually I'd add on a bit more just in case the bank is slow. Weekends!!! well EU banks aren't open so rates probably wouldn't change so your cron can be run weekdays only not everyday......

best wishes all.............