Why Can't I Use Products and Categories Together?

Why can't I put both products and sub categories in the same category folder? I know I'm not supposed to, but when I do it, it doesn't seem to cause any problems, on the contrary in fact.

I'm trying to make my main jewelery and lingerie categories display all the products from their sub categories in a random order (20 per page) in the same way all my other main categories do (my other main categories do not have sub-cats just products).

I can't figure out what files to modify in order to replicate this behaviour, but I'm thinking of just copying (linking) all the sub category products straight into the main jewelery and lingerie categories as linked products.

This would mean that there'd be both categories and products in the main categories. Again, I know you're not supposed to do this, but I've tested it and it does solve my problem. I can't see what harm it is doing, so can anyone please advise why we're not supposed to have both categories and products in the same category folders?

This mixes up two issues: data storage and product display.

For storage you need to keep them separate as the algorithms that currently step recursively through the category tree expect to find products at the end nodes and not in the middle of hierarchical sequences. And the MPTT algorithm that will replace this recursive approach (and should give huge performance gains when compiling category data) for 2.0 will be even less forgiving.

However, that doesn't preclude you from writing display modules that list all categories underneath a particular parent and then retrieving and displaying all products in those categories.

Yes, that explains pretty well why not to mix products and categories. Thank you for that.

After I'd posted this, I actually managed to do just that (write a display module that lists all my categories underneath the main parent categories and then retrieves and displays all of the products in those categories).

So, it's working perfectly now, just as I needed.

can you post here to show us how you did that. I am trying to do the same thing

touchclothing:

can you post here to show us how you did that. I am trying to do the same thing

I made some changes to default_filter.php

<?php
/**
 * default_filter.php  for index filters
 *
 * index filter for the default product type
 * show the products of a specified manufacturer
 *
 * @package productTypes
 * @copyright Copyright 2003-2007 Zen Cart Development Team
 * @copyright Portions Copyright 2003 osCommerce
 * @todo Need to add/fine-tune ability to override or insert entry-points on a per-product-type basis
 * @license http://www.zen-cart.com/license/2_0.txt GNU Public License V2.0
 * @version $Id: default_filter.php 6912 2007-09-02 02:23:45Z drbyte $
 */
if (!defined('IS_ADMIN_FLAG')) {
  die('Illegal Access');
}
  if (isset($_GET['alpha_filter_id']) && (int)$_GET['alpha_filter_id'] > 0) {
    //$alpha_sort = " and pd.products_name LIKE '" . chr((int)$_GET['alpha_filter_id']) . "%' ";
	$filterid = (int)$_GET['alpha_filter_id'];
	switch($filterid)
	{
			case 1:
				$alpha_sort = " order by pd.products_viewed";
				break;
			case 2:
				$alpha_sort = " order by p.products_price";
				break;
			case 3:
				$alpha_sort = " order by p.products_price DESC";
				break;
			case 4:
				$alpha_sort = " order by pd.products_name";
				break;
			case 5:
				$alpha_sort = " order by m.manufacturers_name";
				break;
			case 6:
				$alpha_sort = " order by p.products_date_added DESC";
				break;
			case 7:
				$alpha_sort = " order by p.products_date_added";
				break;
				
				
			
		
	}
  } else {
    $alpha_sort = ' order by p.products_date_added DESC';
$filterid = 6; // 6 is the case sortquery to list new to old.
  }
  if (!isset($select_column_list)) $select_column_list = "";
   // show the products of a specified manufacturer
  if (isset($_GET['manufacturers_id']) && $_GET['manufacturers_id'] != '' ) {
    if (isset($_GET['filter_id']) && zen_not_null($_GET['filter_id'])) {
// We are asked to show only a specific category
      $listing_sql = "select distinct " . $select_column_list . " p.products_id, p.products_type, p.master_categories_id, p.manufacturers_id, p.products_price, p.products_tax_class_id, pd.products_description, if(s.status = 1, s.specials_new_products_price, NULL) AS specials_new_products_price, IF(s.status = 1, s.specials_new_products_price, p.products_price) as final_price, p.products_sort_order, p.product_is_call, p.product_is_always_free_shipping, p.products_qty_box_status
       from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id , " .
       TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd, " .
       TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m, " .
       TABLE_PRODUCTS_TO_CATEGORIES . " p2c
       where p.products_status = 1
         and p.manufacturers_id = m.manufacturers_id
         and m.manufacturers_id = '" . (int)$_GET['manufacturers_id'] . "'
         and p.products_id = p2c.products_id
         and pd.products_id = p2c.products_id
         and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
		 ";/* bof all_sub_cats_products */
         if(!empty($sub_cats)) 
         	$listing_sql .=  "and p2c.categories_id IN($sub_cats)" .
         $alpha_sort;
         else 
/* eof all_sub_cats_products*/ $listing_sql .=  "
         and p2c.categories_id = '" . (int)$_GET['filter_id'] . "'" .
         $alpha_sort;
    } else {
// We show them all
      $listing_sql = "select distinct " . $select_column_list . " p.products_id, p.products_type, p.master_categories_id, p.manufacturers_id, p.products_price, p.products_tax_class_id, pd.products_description, IF(s.status = 1, s.specials_new_products_price, NULL) as specials_new_products_price, IF(s.status = 1, s.specials_new_products_price, p.products_price) as final_price, p.products_sort_order, p.product_is_call, p.product_is_always_free_shipping, p.products_qty_box_status
      from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id, " .
      TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd, " .
      TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m
      where p.products_status = 1
        and pd.products_id = p.products_id
        and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
		";/* bof all_sub_cats_products */
         if(!empty($sub_cats)) 
         	$listing_sql .=  "and p2c.categories_id IN($sub_cats)" .
         $alpha_sort;
         else 
/* eof all_sub_cats_products*/ $listing_sql .=  "
        and p.manufacturers_id = m.manufacturers_id
        and m.manufacturers_id = '" . (int)$_GET['manufacturers_id'] . "'" .
        $alpha_sort;
    }
  } else {
// show the products in a given category
    if (isset($_GET['filter_id']) && zen_not_null($_GET['filter_id'])) {
// We are asked to show only specific category
      $listing_sql = "select distinct " . $select_column_list . " p.products_id, p.products_type, p.master_categories_id, p.manufacturers_id, p.products_price, p.products_tax_class_id, pd.products_description, IF(s.status = 1, s.specials_new_products_price, NULL) as specials_new_products_price, IF(s.status = 1, s.specials_new_products_price, p.products_price) as final_price, p.products_sort_order, p.product_is_call, p.product_is_always_free_shipping, p.products_qty_box_status
      from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p.products_id = s.products_id, " .
      TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd, " .
      TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m, " .
      TABLE_PRODUCTS_TO_CATEGORIES . " p2c
      where p.products_status = 1
        and p.manufacturers_id = m.manufacturers_id
        and m.manufacturers_id = '" . (int)$_GET['filter_id'] . "'
        and p.products_id = p2c.products_id
        and pd.products_id = p2c.products_id
        and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
		";/* bof all_sub_cats_products */
         if(!empty($sub_cats)) 
         	$listing_sql .=  "and p2c.categories_id IN($sub_cats)" .
         $alpha_sort;
         else 
/* eof all_sub_cats_products*/ $listing_sql .=  "
        and p2c.categories_id = '" . (int)$current_category_id . "'" .
        $alpha_sort;
    } else {
// We show them all
      $listing_sql = "select distinct " . $select_column_list . " p.products_id, p.products_type, p.master_categories_id, p.manufacturers_id, p.products_price, p.products_tax_class_id, pd.products_description, IF(s.status = 1, s.specials_new_products_price, NULL) as specials_new_products_price, IF(s.status =1, s.specials_new_products_price, p.products_price) as final_price, p.products_sort_order, p.product_is_call, p.product_is_always_free_shipping, p.products_qty_box_status
       from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS_DESCRIPTION . " pd, " .
       TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p left join " . TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m on p.manufacturers_id = m.manufacturers_id, " .
       TABLE_PRODUCTS_TO_CATEGORIES . " p2c left join " . TABLE_SPECIALS . " s on p2c.products_id = s.products_id
       where p.products_status = 1
         and p.products_id = p2c.products_id
         and pd.products_id = p2c.products_id
         and pd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
		 ";/* bof all_sub_cats_products */
         if(!empty($sub_cats)) 
         	$listing_sql .=  "and p2c.categories_id IN($sub_cats)" .
         $alpha_sort;
         else 
/* eof all_sub_cats_products*/ $listing_sql .=  "
         and p2c.categories_id = '" . (int)$current_category_id . "'" .
         $alpha_sort;
    }
  }

// set the default sort order setting from the Admin when not defined by customer
  if (!isset($_GET['sort']) and PRODUCT_LISTING_DEFAULT_SORT_ORDER != '') {
    $_GET['sort'] = PRODUCT_LISTING_DEFAULT_SORT_ORDER;
  }

  if (isset($column_list)) {
    if ((!isset($_GET['sort'])) || (isset($_GET['sort']) && !ereg('[1-8][ad]', $_GET['sort'])) || (substr($_GET['sort'], 0, 1) > sizeof($column_list)) ) {
      for ($i=0, $n=sizeof($column_list); $i<$n; $i++) {
        if (isset($column_list[$i]) && $column_list[$i] == 'PRODUCT_LIST_NAME') {
          $_GET['sort'] = $i+1 . 'a';
          $listing_sql .= " order by p.products_sort_order, pd.products_name";
          break;
        } else {
// sort by products_sort_order when PRODUCT_LISTING_DEFAULT_SORT_ORDER is left blank
// for reverse, descending order use:
//       $listing_sql .= " order by p.products_sort_order desc, pd.products_name";
 //         $listing_sql .= " order by p.products_date_added DESC, pd.products_name";
          break;
        }
      }  
// if set to nothing use products_sort_order and PRODUCTS_LIST_NAME is off
      if (PRODUCT_LISTING_DEFAULT_SORT_ORDER == '') {
        $_GET['sort'] = '20a';
      }
    } else {
      $sort_col = substr($_GET['sort'], 0 , 1);
      $sort_order = substr($_GET['sort'], 1);
      $listing_sql .= ' order by ';
      switch ($column_list[$sort_col-1]) {
        case 'PRODUCT_LIST_MODEL':
          $listing_sql .= "p.products_model " . ($sort_order == 'd' ? 'desc' : '') . ", pd.products_name";
          break;
        case 'PRODUCT_LIST_NAME':
          $listing_sql .= "pd.products_name " . ($sort_order == 'd' ? 'desc' : '');
          break;
        case 'PRODUCT_LIST_MANUFACTURER':
          $listing_sql .= "m.manufacturers_name " . ($sort_order == 'd' ? 'desc' : '') . ", pd.products_name";
          break;
        case 'PRODUCT_LIST_QUANTITY':
          $listing_sql .= "p.products_quantity " . ($sort_order == 'd' ? 'desc' : '') . ", pd.products_name";
          break;
        case 'PRODUCT_LIST_IMAGE':
          $listing_sql .= "pd.products_name";
          break;
        case 'PRODUCT_LIST_WEIGHT':
          $listing_sql .= "p.products_weight " . ($sort_order == 'd' ? 'desc' : '') . ", pd.products_name";
          break;
        case 'PRODUCT_LIST_PRICE':
//          $listing_sql .= "final_price " . ($sort_order == 'd' ? 'desc' : '') . ", pd.products_name";
          $listing_sql .= "p.products_price_sorter " . ($sort_order == 'd' ? 'desc' : '') . ", pd.products_name";
          break;
      }
    }
  }
// optional Product List Filter
  if (PRODUCT_LIST_FILTER > 0) {
    if (isset($_GET['manufacturers_id']) && $_GET['manufacturers_id'] != '') {
      $filterlist_sql = "select distinct c.categories_id as id, cd.categories_name as name
      from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " .
      TABLE_PRODUCTS_TO_CATEGORIES . " p2c, " .
      TABLE_CATEGORIES . " c, " .
      TABLE_CATEGORIES_DESCRIPTION . " cd
      where p.products_status = 1
        and p.products_id = p2c.products_id
        and p2c.categories_id = c.categories_id
        and p2c.categories_id = cd.categories_id
        and cd.language_id = '" . (int)$_SESSION['languages_id'] . "'
        and p.manufacturers_id = '" . (int)$_GET['manufacturers_id'] . "'
      order by cd.categories_name";
    } else {
      $filterlist_sql= "select distinct m.manufacturers_id as id, m.manufacturers_name as name
      from " . TABLE_PRODUCTS . " p, " .
      TABLE_PRODUCTS_TO_CATEGORIES . " p2c, " .
      TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . " m
      where p.products_status = 1
        and p.manufacturers_id = m.manufacturers_id
        and p.products_id = p2c.products_id
        and p2c.categories_id = '" . (int)$current_category_id . "'
      order by m.manufacturers_name";
    }
    $do_filter_list = false;
    $filterlist = $db->Execute($filterlist_sql);
    if ($filterlist->RecordCount() > 1) {
        $do_filter_list = true;
      if (isset($_GET['manufacturers_id'])) {
        $getoption_set =  true;
        $get_option_variable = 'manufacturers_id';
        $options = array(array('id' => '', 'text' => TEXT_ALL_CATEGORIES));
      } else {
        $options = array(array('id' => '', 'text' => TEXT_ALL_MANUFACTURERS));
      }
      while (!$filterlist->EOF) {
        $options[] = array('id' => $filterlist->fields['id'], 'text' => $filterlist->fields['name']);
        $filterlist->MoveNext();
      }
    }
  }

// Get the right image for the top-right
  $image = DIR_WS_TEMPLATE_IMAGES . 'table_background_list.gif';
  if (isset($_GET['manufacturers_id'])) {
    $sql = "select manufacturers_image
              from   " . TABLE_MANUFACTURERS . "
              where      manufacturers_id = '" . (int)$_GET['manufacturers_id'] . "'";

    $image_name = $db->Execute($sql);
    $image = $image_name->fields['manufacturers_image'];

  } elseif ($current_category_id) {

    $sql = "select categories_image from " . TABLE_CATEGORIES . "
            where  categories_id = '" . (int)$current_category_id . "'";

    $image_name = $db->Execute($sql);
    $image = $image_name->fields['categories_image'];
  }
?>

Look specifically at the four blocks labelled ** /bof all_sub_cats_products coding.**

Nice but it doesnt work, what do I need? beside changing that file?