backing up files

I was keeping track of files by following the zen cart tutorials on this while working within the server and ftp changes until I got to the stage where I was creating attributes within admin and then it gave a warning to back up files. Trouble is, they don't tell you which files to back up.....

Now I'm completely lost as to what I should be backing up and I'm about to export a saved version of database which exports as sql file (is that right?)

Shouldn't I be just downloading my entire zen cart folder and files once I have it all set up because getting lost now! Before I had to rename as in CUSTOM and then match it to each php file changed but you can't see which php file is being changed in zc admin.

I don't understand that changing php file which redirects to custom file? Unless you can keep track of each and every single one.

I want to install patch and it says i shouldn't until i've backed up all files.. i've backed up db- is that enough, can i go ahead and install?

Perhaps the tutorials will help? https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php

Thanks Kim, I found this tutorial helpful:

https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php/index.php?article=230

Of course I'm always reading reading but I like to hear first hand also how people go about staying organized.

I think I will keep a copy of database and all the files on my server in a safe place and mark it before stock by attributes patch and then when my site is mostly complete I will do another backup. That should do it :) That way I cannot possible lose anything!

I was just asking about backing up files. I had just copied the database and all my files and folders when I was editing my product to tweak it and suddenly it wasn't there- I have no idea why. Thank goodness I backed up my files, I thought, because can't remember product description but when I go to look at backed up folder I notice the admin folder I renamed doesn't exist and the folders I custom named don't either. I used cuteftp to dload the lot- I have absolutely no clue how this happened.
:no::wacko::no::(

gawd i feel like every1 thinks i'm insane or something

If your webhost has CPanel, you can backup, complete
domain files and MYSQL database/s, from there

there are free plugins in the downloads section to back up the DB and the PHP files... best to do full backups throught server cpanel if possible and back up the site DB everyday (depending how busy your site is and how busy you been on the site adding and removing items or price changing)

See this tutorial: https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=103
As it says right at the top: backups involve two components: all your PHP files and your database.

Thanks all, yes I just managed to restore my db through doteasy cpanel :)

But this is something I don't understand..when I dloaded the whole store folder when it was on my desktop I noticed all my CUSTOM named files were not there and even my renamed admin folder had gone back to being admin! How is that possible?

Still don't know how that hap but I re-dloaded the site and now my files are there very weird :oops: