Upgrading: Can I do this?

[henryvuong]

I am running version 1.3.7 and want to upgrade to 1.3.8. The current site is in the folder /catalog/. This site has three add-on contributions: Image Handler 2, Admin Profiles and Super Orders. I read the upgrade instructions in the zip file. Basicly, I would have to compare file to file and upload the new files that are different from the old ones.

Instead of doing that, can I do this:
1) Install a new package of version 1.3.8 in a new folder, say "new_catalog" with the same administrator' username and password as the old ones.
2) Install the three said add-on contributions.
3) Move the current files in the folder "catalog" to another folder, say "old_site".
4) Move the new files from "new_catalog" to "catalog".
5) Change the configure file to connect the new catalog to the current database.

Would it work that way?

[fairestcape]

There are database changes from 1.3.7 to 1.3.8, so you would have to "patch" the database to the higher level.

I have done what you suggested (on TEST sites), and it seemed to work OK, as long as the database version is identical to your ZC version.

Make sure to do a full backup of your database before you tinker with it.

[henryvuong]

I do not see anything in the upgrade document about patching the database (I was looking in the "docs" folder of the unzipped files). Can you tell me where to get the patch files?

[fairestcape]

When you use ZC to perform your upgrade, it calls in the patch files automatically from the zc_install/sql folder.

As stated in the .sql patch files, upgrading your database by invoking these patches through phpMyAdmin, or through the ZC Upload sql, is NOT RECOMMENDED! This is because if ZC experiences an error during the upgrade, it can sort it out itself.

So, I take NO RESPONSIBILITY if you patch your dbase manually!

I did it some time ago on a test site, and everything seemed to go ok, but that was on a test site that I didn't use to the full extent.

If you decide to try it, I would strongly suggest you do so on a COPY of your original database. (If you are familiar with phpMyAdmin, you can easily create a copy of your database).

You will see from the contents of the sql folder, the patch file(s) that are likely to apply... eg: mysql_upgrade_zencart_137_to_138.sql . You may need other files too - I'm not sure...

As stated, this is at your own risk, so try it on a TEST site, or a COPY of your original dbase.

Remember to backup everything first!

... and oh... check to see if your additional modules work with 1.3.8 - there may be upgrades to them too - particularly those that add or modify dbase tables.