Which UTF-8 version to select when creating MySql?

[ronlee67]

Everywhere I read I am supposed to create my database with UTF-8 charset.

Using phpMyAdmin to create the db I am presented with a bunch of UTF-8 variations to choose from. There is no selection for just UTF-8. Which should I use? I have a USA based shop which should be set up for US English. It's possible we may add some Spanish on our site in the future to accommodate our Hispanic customers (mostly from Mexico.)

I'm installing Zencart v1.5.4 on a Linux Apache system

[ronlee67]

Forgot to mention that I am rebuilding my site by doing a fresh install as the old v1.3.9h has numerous customizations that are no longer needed and some add-ons that will be obsolete. That means I will want to use the old database with the new install. The more I read, the more complicated this project becomes. I checked the current database and it is set up with latin1_general_ci.

I thought I read somewhere that newer Zencart versions were going to standardize on UTF8 but of course I can't find that information now that it is needed.

So, I guess my question should be whether to convert latin1_general_ci to some form of UTF8 (utf8_unicode_ci seems to be the most recommended) or stick with latin1_general_ci?

If Zencart will be standardized to UTF8 going forward then it seems now is the time to convert although it sounds like converting can be a bag of worms.

[kobra]

If Zencart will be standardized to UTF8 going forward then it seems now is the time to convert although it sounds like converting can be a bag of worms.

Not if you choose the tool to convert your database with
https://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1318

[mc12345678]

Yes discussion in the forum is that UTF-8 moving forward will be the way to go. At least there are a number of nuances that will exist with which to contend if it isn't converted.

Good so you've found the upgrade by rebuild instructions then. Template, are either switching templates or converting one to be "mobile" friendly?

[ronlee67]

Thanks Kobra...

You always provide good guidance.

Ron

Not if you choose the tool to convert your database with
https://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1318

[ronlee67]

The instructions for the conversion tool state "e) Update your Zen Cart configure.php settings to use 'utf8' for DB_CHARSET and english.php to set CHARSET to 'utf-8"

I just completed running the convert_db2utf8.php tool. I am going to be upgrading v1.3.9h Zencart to 1.5.4. Neither configure.php file in my 1.3.9h files has an entry for DB_CHARSET. Should I add a new line like this to each configure.php file before upgrading? It seems logical but just want to pass this by the experts before taking a chance of scrambling things up.

define ('DB_CHARSET'), 'utf8');

also in /[admin]/languages/english.php change this line to (utf-8, not utf8):

define)'CHARSET', 'utf-8');

Not if you choose the tool to convert your database with
https://www.zen-cart.com/downloads.php?do=file&id=1318

[Design75]

You can use the dist-configure.php files from your 1.5.4 file set and compare/update your configure.php files

[mc12345678]

Also, yes the format of "utf-8" in the language file is correct... Unfortunately different "applications" have adopted the language set differently taking an already potentially confusing aspect even more so...

If you follow the process of: http://www.zen-cart.com/entry.php?3-...d-of-upgrading

Then the configure.php files will be auto-created saving yourself a lot of time from potentially making an error in any one of the many entries... Unless of course you have completely inaccurate information to start. :)

[lat9]

You can use the dist-configure.php files from your 1.5.4 file set and compare/update your configure.php files

What @Design75 says will work, but you can also use the "Upgrade Configuration Files" button from the zc_install upgrade processing to automatically "fix" those files.