When To Use zc_plugins Encapsulated Folder

[mikeel100]

Do I put my catalog modifications in my cloned Bootstrap template, which is under htdocs>website>includes

Or do I put my modified pages in htdocs>website>zc_plugins>catalog>includes...like the Zencart help files indicate?

I have a working admin plugin that I added to zc_plugins under 1.5.7, so I have a good understanding of the admin part of encapsulated plugins.

The zc_plugins encapsulated plugins help files are not as helpful for the catalog side versus the admin side (or I just have not found what I need after weeks of reading).

I am leaning towards just modifying the cloned Bootstrap template but that seems counter intuitive after reading the help files.

Should I have moved my cloned Bootstrap to the zc_plugins folder structure?

Please, point me in the right direction.

Thanks.

[swguy]

zc_plugins folder is for admin plugins only at this time.
https://docs.zen-cart.com/dev/plugin...lated_plugins/

If you're just making a change to a page for the storefront, put it under includes as before.

[mikeel100]

zc_plugins folder is for admin plugins only at this time.
https://docs.zen-cart.com/dev/plugin...lated_plugins/

If you're just making a change to a page for the storefront, put it under includes as before.

Thanks.

So, zc_plugins>catalog>includes is not ready to use? Dead?

[mikeel100]

The help files need to be fixed...note the bold in the quote from the help page.

Encapsulated Plugins
A new architecture for writing plugins
The help files need to be fixed...note the bold in the quote.

In Zen Cart v1.5.7, a Plugin Manager was added to begin allowing support for Admin-Only plugins using the new architecture.

The plugin architecture allows plugins to be encapsulated into a hierarchical directory structure that mimics the Zen Cart directory structure.

So plugin files no longer need to be placed within the disparate Zen Cart core directories, but rather exist in directories below a zc_plugins directory.

A new plugin manager page allows for the plugin to be installed/un-installed and enabled/disabled.

NOTE: At the moment plugins only work for admin side code. Plugins for catalog will be introduced in Zen Cart v1.5.8

[swguy]

Yes, that's on my list of things to do. It obviously didn't make it into 1.5.8.

[mikeel100]

Are the plug_in catalog folders for 1.5.8a working for the catalog now?

I'm about half way into updating my catalog changes from 1.5.7d to 1.5.8a...then remembered that the new plug-in system was supposed to be introduced in 1.5.8.

I read the help files but couldn't find anything.

Also, in the help files, it says the file structure is zc_plugins/plug_in name/version/catalog/includes/...

I'm betting that is incorrect and that the includes folder should be under the version folder along with admin.

Please correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks.

[swguy]

> Also, in the help files, it says the file structure is zc_plugins/plug_in name/version/catalog/includes/...

Would you please give me the URL you are looking at?

There is no support for catalog side encapsulated functions in 1.5.8/1.5.8a/2.0.0.

[mikeel100]

https://docs.zen-cart.com/dev/plugin...ory_structure/

Maybe a note in the help files would be helpful to others...to indicate not to use the includes folder in the plug-ins until an announcement is made for using it.

I'll let you know if I find any other references to using the includes folder in the help files.

Thanks.

[swguy]

Ah ok got it.

There is a note at the bottom of the page saying

NOTE: While these examples mention the catalog subdirectory, Zen Cart v1.5.7 only supports admin-side plugins at this time.

(I'm going to remove the "1.5.7" because it's true for all versions at this point.)

[mikeel100]

Thanks.