How do I test paypal?? (IPN)

[s_mack]

With these rather sweeping new features to the PayPal integration in 1.3.7, I have a question... how do I test without going live?

I mean... my "live" site is still using 1.3.6 and the PP IPN. I have a "local" site setup on my windows machine here for testing new installations... but the PP module(s) require me to put a return address into my PP settings... obviously I can't have more than one return URL. So how do others test on their dev sites with PP???

Thanks.

- Steven

[kobra]

Just set up a $0.10 product buy it for a test of it....you know that you will be returned to the incorrect url but so what??

[s_mack]

well, I guess that's the question... "so what?" Is that all the return URL does? I thought there was some deep integration whereby my zencart wouldn't finish the transaction until it heard back from PP (or something - I don't understand it).

I just don't want to mess up my live site somehow by having my test site transaction get posted there. No way that can happen?

Forgive me - I really never did understand how PP worked :)

- Steven

[kobra]

Actually a good point?? as the transaction is not in your live store it "should not matter" but those who know the actual underpinnings better might be waited for a response to this.

And yes the trest site will not complete the transaction with out a return response from PP

[swguy]

Paypal has a "sandbox" that you should be able to use to test your work.
See http://developer.paypal.com/

Good luck,
Scott

[s_mack]

well, except that the IPN module doesn't seem to support that. As well, I can't put a localhost url into the Sandbox :) One way or another, I guess it has to be tested from a live site, which sucks. Unless I'm missing something.

- Steven

[swguy]

Can you create a test site as a subdomain and test it that way?

[Ajeh]

The PayPal IPN URL is overriden by what Zen Cart sends to PayPal as is the PayPal express ...

So you can use the account on several sites in either format and the right address will be sent to PayPal for it to return to ...

[s_mack]

Ok, well I tried it... and I get some odd behaviour. I imagine that it is still to do with the localhost thing. Is that correct?

The order appears to go through from the customer POV, but the order number that is shown is the last successful non-paypal order number... the paypal order never shows up.

Not a big deal... I don't think I like the PP Express thing at all so I won't be using that anyway. And it seems that the IPN is sufficiently unchanged that I can be relatively confident in going live with it (and hope for the best)

- Steven

[Ajeh]

Local testing is never ideal for any type of gateway ...

I don't use this on local as so many problems creep in on those ... so I really cannot tell you all the pitfalls you will run into ...