How can I create new directories and files from Admin?

I am new to Zen Cart. I have V1.3.9h installed on a web server in Kansas. I live in Oregon. I have made changes to the Classic template. I understand I should create a directory "CUSTOM". Then copy Classic template file to directory and rename it to myname_template. I need to do this for all custom pages or I will lose them all at an update later. Do I need to have Zen Cart installed on my computer while developing this website?

bluesky1992:

I am new to Zen Cart. I have V1.3.9h installed on a web server in Kansas. I live in Oregon. I have made changes to the Classic template. I understand I should create a directory "CUSTOM". Then copy Classic template file to directory and rename it to myname_template.

Just to clarify things, you don't have to create a directory called "CUSTOM" ... This is merely an 'example' that is used to signify the ACTUAL name of the directory where you place your customised files.

"myname_template" is also just an[quote=bluesky1992;1068638]other example of the same thing .... They BOTH indicate that you should use a name of your choosing, which will be the same name that you call your 'new' template.

bluesky1992:

Do I need to have Zen Cart installed on my computer while developing this website?

Good question. Ideally you should have a copy installed on your local machine, and you should be using this for all customisations, testing and so forth. When you are happy that all is ok on your local machine you can then copy the files over to your live site with little fear of breaking things.

Many people seem to get themselves in all sorts of bother with this though, so if it is a new site you are setting up it is perfectly acceptable to place the store in maintenance mode and do all your edits, etc on the live site.
Do be prepared to mess things up though, because this is almost inevitable until you learn how it all fits together.

If you use this method DO make regular backups as you are working on it, and ensure you do a full backup on a regular basis (regular will depend on how busy the store is). With a quiet store, once a week, or possibly even once a month will do, but on a busy store at least once a day would be more prudent.

Anyway, hopefully this answers your questions?

Cheers
Rod

Rod, thanks for your input. My Zen cart is in a test mode setting right now. After everything tests out all right, it will be copied over to the website location.

Rod, I have no control of when backups occur at the hosting company even though the site is in maintenance mode. The only way I can see to achieve the control is to have a copy of the program on my machine so I can directly control backups and renaming files when I need to do so.

Hosts don't rewrite anything when they do backups - they just copy your files, databases, etc., so your site will be the same as you left it.

I'm one of those folks who thinks it makes more sense to develop on the server your site will be hosted on. You do need to do your own regular backups, even during development.

Steve, I haven't found a place in Admin that allows me to backup. Can you point me to a feature that I must be overlooking?

There is none in admin. I use this:

http://www.zen-cart.com/index.php?main_page=product_contrib_info&products_id=1646

Steve, wouldn't this need to be downloaded on the web host server as that is where the original zen cart files are located? The shopping cart is added to my website name until everything works and then it will be copied over as the primary website files.

Yes, it would. Install it to yoursite.com/whatever (where your Zencart site is now). When you're ready to move your store to the root, https://www.zen-cart.com/tutorials/index.php?article=122

bluesky1992:

Rod, I have no control of when backups occur at the hosting company

Although most hosts will keep a backup of your site, they don't do this for your benefit, they do so to save their own assess in the event of hardware failure, or similar catastrophic event.

You should always do your own backups either to your own computer, or to another server somewhere. Cpanel has tools that make this a very easy task, and as Stevesh has stated, there are also other methods that you can use.

Never ever rely on backups made by your hosting company, no matter what claims they make about how good/reliable their servers may be. The only good backups are those the you control.

Cheers
Rod