switch between languages on main page?

hi,
i would like to know how to have a language switch on the main page. is there anything like that in zen cart?

wenez:

hi,
i would like to know how to have a language switch on the main page. is there anything like that in zen cart?

Yes, there basically is. Usually easiest to implement by turning on the languages sidebox... For each installed language an indicator is loaded/shown to the customer if such is part of the template. A user could then click on the indicator of choice and files overridden for the template and/or language would be displayed basically.

thank you so much mc,
that was easy. i first turned off most of the side boxes to have the screen not so cluttered, that is why i did not see this box. just wondering how important it is to use the override system in the case of another language? because the other languages are not upgraded anyway? so - do i have to create my own template folders for any other language that i put in?

wenez:

thank you so much mc,
that was easy. i first turned off most of the side boxes to have the screen not so cluttered, that is why i did not see this box. just wondering how important it is to use the override system in the case of another language? because the other languages are not upgraded anyway? so - do i have to create my own template folders for any other language that i put in?

The override system offers several things... First of all, by not modifying the "core" code (defaults, and things that can not be overridden) when an upgrade comes along, the file replacement is a snap. The plugins just have to be verified to continue functioning. Whereas any change made to the default template? Well, there is no fallback and in an upgrade situation have to ensure that the previous changes get carried over. Btw, there is supposed to be a 1.5.4 coming soon, so don't think that won't ever upgrade. The next thing is that when using a template (even a copy of the default template or classic) by having a default/unchanged template, it is possible to test situations out to see if it is template related or "core" depending on what the issue is.

Lastly, the alternate language system is itself a template/override system. What is not found in the alternate language is displayed in "english" or the default language as the language can be switched around, but the way the files have previously been written is to look in the english folder(s) when unable to find something in the desired language.

Also, the language options don't have to be in the sideboxes only, there is also the ability to place/show them in the header/footer, depending on settings and templates.

So hope that helps in your future planning of your site and that you continue on using the override/template system. It really is in your best interest to do so even though none of us can stop you from doing whatever you choose to do.

just thinking that the language packs will be upgraded from time to time too, so i will use the override system. thank you for your help.

thanks mc, for your detailed explanations. it made things more clear for me.