A solution to updating?

I'm in the process of updating from 1.3.9 to 1.5.4. It seems the process involves getting it all correct in a test directory and then updating the live site. The issue is that the live site accumulates orders as your are getting the test site up and running, otherwise one could just switch to the new test site with no worries.

Is there a script out there that can copy any new orders in the live site to the test site? If so, one would only need to put the live site in maintenance, run the script and then make the test site the live site.
With this approach, if something went horribly wrong, you still have the original site you could quickly switch back to.

That's exactly what this post was made for: http://www.zen-cart.com/entry.php?3-How-do-I-rebuild-my-site-on-the-new-version-instead-of-upgrading

In short: sort out all the issues using a test site. Then implement everything onto the live site. Then delete the temporary test site. No data lost. Almost zero downtime for your store.

DrByte:

That's exactly what this post was made for: http://www.zen-cart.com/entry.php?3-How-do-I-rebuild-my-site-on-the-new-version-instead-of-upgrading

In short: sort out all the issues using a test site. Then implement everything onto the live site. Then delete the temporary test site. No data lost. Almost zero downtime for your store.
If I understand correctly , this is not the same as I suggested. In your version, the test site is updated and at the same time any plug-in mods which affect the database get potentially blown away.

With the approach I described, the test site receives the upgrade database by running the existing zc_install script. After adding plug ins and getting everything right, the site a completely working test site. A script could be created which only pulls across customers and orders only. In this way, no plug ins are affected.

split63:

A script could be created which only pulls across customers and orders only. In this way, no plug ins are affected.
Ya right. Sure you could. But there are a zillion factors involved in determining which changes are relevant, and it would have to be completely different for every version of ZC because the database structure may change between versions.

Simple answer to your question: No there is no such script.

Best solution is the one I posted, for many additional reasons not discussed here, beyond just selectively transferring certain data.

Wouldn't it just be the same zc_install script but with the option to only update customers and orders incrementally?

I'm not sure I was clear, but the zc_install would be used to upgrade the site just as it currently is. Then later, after the new site is fully updated with mods and customizations, the zc_install script would be run again with the customers/orders incremental option set. The Incremental is key.....only orders not in the new database are updated and added to the new database.

This would help out so many Zen users.

split63:

This would help out so many Zen users.
You're more than welcome to write and contribute a plugin for it.