Build/Customize Store Offline?

[zcnb]

Hi, I am a total newbie to Zen Cart (and to e-commerce in general). I am also quite experienced in programming and web-technology and given the excellent documentation provided by the Zen Cart community, I am confident that I can customize and use Zen Cart to meet my needs.

However, I am unsure as to the best strategy when it comes to bringing into life my (planned) web store:

On one hand, I would like to minimize the time it takes to switch from "passive web site" (aka "brochure web site") to Zen Cart based web site (with all the bells and whistles, ready for the first customer). So, it makes sense to prepare almost everything off line (i.e. on my PC) and then transfer it within minutes.

On the other hand, despite reading lots of documentation, I haven't found (yet) any reference to such mode of work (or possibility).

Is it possible to develop/customize the entire store off line, on my PC, test it, and only then transfer it to (the already hosted and present) web site?

If so, how do I do that?

Thanks,
Daniel

[Get Em Fast]

Yep, It's very possible. You'll need to set up a server, PHP, phpMyAdmin, and SQL. You can get everything you need, already packaged with programs like xamp or wamp (both free).
Then, you'll need a good php editor. Some people just use notepad, but I prefer either DevPHP (free) or TopStyle Pro (79.95).
Once your site is fully developed on your local server, then just FTP it to your Live server, change a couple of settings (you'll get to that) in a couple of file, and you are Live.
In my opinion, a locally hosted test site is the ONLY way to go. And ALWAYS make backups before you add or change ANYTHING in ZC.

Hope this helps.

[Steven300]

Related Tutorial/FAQ:
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=99

[zcnb]

Hope this helps.

Thank you very much. Every answer helps and your detailed one definitely helps.

Yep, It's very possible. You'll need to set up a server, PHP, phpMyAdmin, and SQL. You can get everything you need, already packaged with programs like xamp or wamp (both free).

I have already done so a few weeks ago, using XAMPP for Windows. So it seems that I am on the right track.

Then, you'll need a good php editor. Some people just use notepad, but I prefer either DevPHP (free) or TopStyle Pro (79.95).

I have been a long time user of GNU Emacs, but I recently discovered Notepad++. Both provide excellent syntax highlighting and formatting for PHP. It is good to know that there are additional options.

Once your site is fully developed on your local server, then just FTP it to your Live server, change a couple of settings (you'll get to that) in a couple of file, and you are Live.

Aha! this is the tricky part that I was afraid to do without asking the Zen Cart gurus first.

My web host supports automatic installation of Zen Cart 1.3.8a (i.e. it will install not only the 'store' subdirectory under 'htdocs', but will also take care of creating the MySQL database for it, etc.).

However, since I wanted to avoid beginner's confusion, I installed on my PC (following the book's instructions verbatim) zen-cart-v1.3.7.1-full-patched-07052007.zip.

Thus, I am afraid that simply FTP-ing my local files to the live server and changing two settings only will not suffice. Am I correct in my hesitation?

In my opinion, a locally hosted test site is the ONLY way to go. And ALWAYS make backups before you add or change ANYTHING in ZC.

I agree. I now have to find the best way to do it without compromising anything on the live target (especially security).

Thank you again,
Daniel

[zcnb]

Related Tutorial/FAQ:
https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=99

Thank you very much! This is exactly the type of tutorial/FAQ that I needed (embarrassing to realize that, despite my effort, I didn't search well enough before posting my question).

My only remaining problem (see last question in my previous answer to 'Get Em Fast') is that what I currently installed in my PC is v1.3.7.1, while my web host has v1.3.8a...

I think that, to best avoid version compatibility problems, I should uninstall v1.3.7.1 from my PC, then install v1.3.8a, hoping that it will work with XAMPP...

Or will this get me into troubles?

What do think?

Thanks,
Daniel

[stevesh]

then install v1.3.8a, hoping that it will work with XAMPP...

That's what I'd do. v1.3.8a should work fine with XAMPP.

I'd recommend that you never have your host install Zencart or use Fantastico to do so. Once you've built your cart on your local machine, it's a simple matter to upload it and change the config files, as outlined in the tutorial. That way, you know what's been done and can troubleshoot (if necessary) more easily.

[zcnb]

That's what I'd do. v1.3.8a should work fine with XAMPP.

Thank you, that's exactly what I did.

I'd recommend that you never have your host install Zencart or use Fantastico to do so. Once you've built your cart on your local machine, it's a simple matter to upload it and change the config files, as outlined in the tutorial. That way, you know what's been done and can troubleshoot (if necessary) more easily.

I think this is great advice. I didn't initially pay attention to this point but now that you mention this, it seems logical that I would do it "the hard way" in order to gain more experience and knowledge about the system.

My question now is: Since my web host's installation script for Zen Cart automatically creates a (MySQL) database, does this mean that I will have to take care of this step myself, just as I did with XAMPP?

More importantly, there are certain things that I cannot really test on a local machine (example.com), such as:

• PayPal IPN module
• SSL based store access (for customers) and admin

Does this mean that I don't really want to FTP my local files as are, and perhaps a better approach would be to just record what I did locally and simply repeat the process remotely?

I mean, There are so many tiny details of which I have to keep track & modify anyway, if I want to just FTP my local test jig to the real host. Is it possible that it is simpler to just document the steps that I did locally, then repeat them remotely?

Thanks,
Daniel

[stevesh]

Does this mean that I don't really want to FTP my local files as are, and perhaps a better approach would be to just record what I did locally and simply repeat the process remotely?

That's what I'd do, if you haven't made a lot of changes yet.

Fact is, I've never installed Zencart locally - I know that you can see changes faster that way (no FTP upload time), but with dual monitors, once you get into the rhythm of download - edit - upload - refresh browser it works well.

On a manual install, I create the database first, using phpMyadmin - if your host offers a control panel like CPanel, that should be in there. One caveat - many hosts, including mine, prepend your CPanel user name to the database name, so when you tell Zencart the DB name, and it doesn't work, try username_databasename.

One more hint - if you have a control panel with a file manager, upload the Zencart zip file and extract it on the server. Much faster, and no corrupted files.