Upgrade Automation within the Admin Panel

[newtozc32]

In the past upgrading was automated. What is the plan for latest upgrade v153?

[gjh42]

Upgrading Zen Cart has never been automated, nor can it safely be so if you have customizations to any files.
Some hosts offer services like Fantastico or Softaculous which can be used (though not recommended) for a more or less "auto install", but their auto-upgrade function is guaranteed to cause problems, possibly huge ones, for any modified Zen Cart site.

[newtozc32]

I distinctly remember there being an upgrade button in the upper right corner of the Admin Panel. I don't recall the version, but I know there was one as I have been using Zen Cart longer than I've been a member of this forum.

[mc12345678]

I distinctly remember there being an upgrade button in the upper right corner of the Admin Panel. I don't recall the version, but I know there was one as I have been using Zen Cart longer than I've been a member of this forum.

The button at least as late as 1.5.1 was to check if an update was available... Not to do an update. Further, I don't know if in 1.5.3 the button is hidden if say the auto check for update is turned off, or if it simply now auto checks and won't display the button until a new version is available.

[DrByte]

Further, I don't know if in 1.5.3 the button is hidden

No, it isn't.

[mc12345678]

No, it isn't.

Seemed like something over the top to do (ie, unnecessary), I'll be finding out tonight as I install it to test for plugin compatibilities.

Maybe a missing image? Or some other configuration error causing said button to not display? Would use firebug on admin panel to see what's there.

[newtozc32]

Seemed like something over the top to do (ie, unnecessary), I'll be finding out tonight as I install it to test for plugin compatibilities.

Maybe a missing image? Or some other configuration error causing said button to not display? Would use firebug on admin panel to see what's there.

Can you let me know how the upgrade goes? I'm interested in upgrading, but it seems like it could be daunting as I have installed A LOT of plugins to add features to my Admin Panel for multiple uses.

Does anyone know a good way to look for installed plugins? I wish there was a way to maintain them easily within the Admin Panel.

[lat9]

I distinctly remember there being an upgrade button in the upper right corner of the Admin Panel. I don't recall the version, but I know there was one as I have been using Zen Cart longer than I've been a member of this forum.

Could it be that your admin's Configuration->My Store->Show if version update is available is set to false?

[mc12345678]

Can you let me know how the upgrade goes? I'm interested in upgrading, but it seems like it could be daunting as I have installed A LOT of plugins to add features to my Admin Panel for multiple uses.

Does anyone know a good way to look for installed plugins? I wish there was a way to maintain them easily within the Admin Panel.

So to address a few things: I installed 1.5.3 (without upgrade) with no problem, I did see the upgrade button in the top right after install.

I've upgraded other systems with little "difficulty" and one way to identify the installed plugins is to do a code comparison between a default installation and the code installed using the same version of both. After the changes are identified apply them as applicable/necessary to the upgraded version. Not to mention that in the code review, assuming the installed changes included all updates which if written properly should provide some indication of the plugin. Whether it be by unique variables, comments in the code, or some other indication.

I personally use the notes plugin to keep track of changes I make to a cart. The plugin llows adding and revising information that is entered, and as I add a plugin or update it, I make a note in the admin panel of that site. It has it's pros and cons, but with periodic backups and other tracking methods as suggested throughout the forum that's how I manage it. I do know that there is a plugin under development that if other plugins use it, then it keeps track of those aspects, but it does require code authors to adopt that process in order to work successfully.

Hope that helps. Basically the benefit of upgrading is the added security of the new code and the continued functionality of the plugins that no longer support older versions. Regarding 1.5.3, there are plugins out there that need to be updated to work with the new system, so I caution updating the site in place without testing in a development environment first. (Ie, I highly recommend following the guidelines of upgrading)