Using Zencart's Authentication Method

[thaldyron]

Following problem:
Our registered customers should have access to a restricted area (outside of zencart), even without buying anything.
Currently this restricted area is protected by .htaccess; that means the customer needs to know an extra password.

I'm wondering whether it's possible to use the authentication module of zencart instead of .htaccess; something like:
1) the user goes to the restricted page and is presented with a login form where he/she types in his zencart login/pwd.
2) the form queries zencart's database
3) if everything's fine, the user may proceed.

Is this possible?

[DrByte]

Yes it's possible.
Conceptually, you need to connect to the database, load all of Zen Cart's functions, (ie: include application_top), and then use the same user-authentication logic as you'll find in the /includes/modules/pages/login/header_php.php file.
Or extract the relevant components and use those directly.