Can I override functions/html_output ?

hey does anyone know if this is possible... maybe i am doing it wrong.
i want to make changes to the html_output page (add a class to hidden fields). i copied it to functions/extra_funtions and uploaded and it returned an error message about duplicate php declarations.

do i need to make the changes directly to the original html_output file?

if so, if i upgrade will they get wiped out?

could i delete just the portion i need to change from the original file and make a new file called something else with just this function with my changes?

thanks so much!

it would be nice if there were a list somewhere of non-overrideable (is that a word) pages. i looked really hard through everything and couldnt find it.
MM

Minnie Mouse:

do i need to make the changes directly to the original html_output file?
changes to functions files must be done directly.

General rule of thumb: You can use an override folder wherever you see a "classic" folder in the original distribution files.

so no luck...
i made the change in the original file and then created a readme to track changes to this file. then if i upgrade i can just do a search for the readme files and know which original files got changed...
thanks for answering.

Upgrading is a lot simpler if you use a "diff" program like WinMerge (winmerge.sf.net) to compare your current files vs "old originals" to identify your customizations. And then reproduce or merge your customizations into the new version using that information.

that's a good idea. i will do that. i like tracking things though anyway, then if i forget something i did have a record of changes...

Wondering what exactly you were looking to do (perhaps post some code?). I've found a lot of times when I thought I had to change the html_output file, only to find there was another way to do it - either through clever css or passing parameters from a template file.

Not always... there have been times I HAD to edit the core file... but many of the functions are more flexible then they first appear.

• Steven

So far, every occasion I have had to edit a function file has had to do with editing HTML markup.

Can anybody explain why HTML markup is added at the function level. For example zen_back_link() in "functions_general.php" has an anchor tag in the function.

Similar functions, for example the checkout button, which uses zen_href_link(), locates the markup in the template file which easy to override.

(ok):

So far, every occasion I have had to edit a function file has had to do with editing HTML markup.

Can anybody explain why HTML markup is added at the function level. For example zen_back_link() in "functions_general.php" has an anchor tag in the function.

Similar functions, for example the checkout button, which uses zen_href_link(), locates the markup in the template file which easy to override.

Yes, these matters are part of the improvements in the upcoming v1.4 release. More details on the release are posted in the Announcements and Roadmap areas of the forum.