How do I properly back up Zen-Cart and CUSTOM folder?

All that work I been doing on the website, I think I should be backing it up.

So how do I do this properly? I don't want to lose my custom folder, which "Cherry_Zen" is considered my custom folder. What files do I need to save to save my content, catagories, Ezpages., images, etc

Remember there are TWO components to back up if you want to do a full back up of the site:

1. The database
2. The program's folders and files

Your host may provide a backup feature via C-Panel, or you may have an agreement with your host (like I do) to provide DAILY backups of the site.

If you have the C-panel backup feature, use this as your principal option, but note that doing a RESTORE will probably be possible only by the host.

To back up the database, you should use the feature in phpMyAdmin.

To back up your core files, you can choose a number of options, including FTP of these files back to your hard drive (or other backup area).

Probably the easiest way to back up the files is to not need to.

What a lot of us here do is unzip a copy of the Zencart zip file on our local computers, and duplicate the CUSTOM folders and files in that, identical to the cart on the server.

Then, when we want to edit a file, we edit the local copy and then upload the edited file to the server. That way, you always have a current copy of your site on your local hard drive.

GOOD SYSTEM, Steve !

I'll adopt it right away... :smile:

stevesh:

Probably the easiest way to back up the files is to not need to.

What a lot of us here do is unzip a copy of the Zencart zip file on our local computers, and duplicate the CUSTOM folders and files in that, identical to the cart on the server.

Then, when we want to edit a file, we edit the local copy and then upload the edited file to the server. That way, you always have a current copy of your site on your local hard drive.
I use this method as well, Steve. And of course, I also back up my db (I use a MySQL backup mod, but if not, phpmyadmin is the most reliable method).

One question, though. When you make changes to pages in Tools>Define Pages Editor, is this all saved in the database or must they be backed up separately?

Vito

vito:

When you make changes to pages in Tools>Define Pages Editor, is this all saved in the database or must they be backed up separately?
They must be backed up separately. You'll find them in the includes/languages/english/html)includes folder. Better still, create an override file for your template before editing them, and that's the one that will get changed.

Thanks kuroi. :)

Vito

kuroi:

They must be backed up separately. You'll find them in the includes/languages/english/html)includes folder. Better still, create an override file for your template before editing them, and that's the one that will get changed.
How do you create an override file? I feel like a simpleton!:unsure:

There's a helpful tutorial on creating overrides in the FAQ.

stevesh:

Probably the easiest way to back up the files is to not need to.

What a lot of us here do is unzip a copy of the Zencart zip file on our local computers, and duplicate the CUSTOM folders and files in that, identical to the cart on the server.

Then, when we want to edit a file, we edit the local copy and then upload the edited file to the server. That way, you always have a current copy of your site on your local hard drive.

This sounds really good, I tried this once before, when I open my local site up it brings me to my editor for php. Any ideas?

chris32882:

when I open my local site up it brings me to my editor for php. Any ideas?This sounds normal. On your local system the .php extension will be associated with your PHP editor. So to open your site you would need (on Windows) to right click the index.php file and "Open With" a browser.

That's a bit irritating, so you will probably want to bookmark the local site in your browser, and access it from the browser each time.

kuroi:

This sounds normal. On your local system the .php extension will be associated with your PHP editor. So to open your site you would need (on Windows) to right click the index.php file and "Open With" a browser.

That's a bit irritating, so you will probably want to bookmark the local site in your browser, and access it from the browser each time.

yeah that works, thanks!

vito:

I use this method as well, Steve. And of course, I also back up my db (I use a MySQL backup mod, but if not, phpmyadmin is the most reliable method).

Vito

Is this the one you use?

http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=product_contrib_info&products_id=81

After setting up some osCommerce stores (this is my first ZenCart one) I was very surprised to find the super simple integrated Database Backup feature missing from ZC Admin.