How hard is it really to update?

I have read through the step by step a few times and to be honest with you I am just scared to attempt it. I am not sure about merging files. I have never done it. And what if I write over my language files.

Can someone share their experiences with their first time updating?

bjraines:

I have read through the step by step a few times and to be honest with you I am just scared to attempt it. I am not sure about merging files. I have never done it. And what if I write over my language files.

Can someone share their experiences with their first time updating?

First time updating I was pretty scared too.. but as long as you have done what everyone suggests (use the template system for all edits).. you'll be fine. The only files you need to merge are the ones that you have modified, which should be sitting in your own custom folder wherever the override is possible. Do you have any mods on your cart? If so.. check the readme's on those mods to see what files they modify (if any).. and see if those have been changed in the latest version of ZC

And Rule #1- Back up your files and backup your database BEFORE doing anything and make sure your backups work.

samad64:

First time updating I was pretty scared too.. but as long as you have done what everyone suggests (use the template system for all edits).. you'll be fine. The only files you need to merge are the ones that you have modified, which should be sitting in your own custom folder wherever the override is possible. Do you have any mods on your cart? If so.. check the readme's on those mods to see what files they modify (if any).. and see if those have been changed in the latest version of ZC

you know i really didnt think of it that way. i have used the override system exactly as stated so , basically i am just rewriting all the original files correct?

how does this merge thing work exactly? what if i have major modifications to something that has been changed? if that is even possible?

Hi all,

One thing I have gotten in the habit of doing is commenting any mods I make with my initials. that way I can do a search in Developer's tools for my initials and easily come up with a list of everything I've modified.

This was really helpful for me when I did my first update 2 weeks ago.

You have to be really religious about it, but now that I'm in the habit, it's easy and also helps with knowing what I changed and why! :smile:

Just a suggestion!

Ellie

bjraines:

you know i really didnt think of it that way. i have used the override system exactly as stated so , basically i am just rewriting all the original files correct?

how does this merge thing work exactly? what if i have major modifications to something that has been changed? if that is even possible?

Yup.. basically when you're upgrading you're overwriting original files and anything inside the classic folders.. if you're not using anything in those and have it set up properly you'll be fine (but make sure you backup just in case)

As far as merging.. basically the way WinMerge works is it shows you both files and what the differences are (highlights them).. and then you can copy paste or just click merge.. does it all for you. For large mods i'd say go through it manually just in case

thats cool do you ever think it will get to the point that it would be more of a one click install update..... or does the template overide prevent that....

i am not so afraid now...i thought i was going to have to winmerge every damn file on this

so how does this handle the database globals..... does it not write over them....or are they stored in the db

if you use the upgrade link in the zc_install then it has a totally seperate sql file that it runs, and it only adds the new tables removes ones NOT needed and modifies the ones that are there but dosnt remove any data

I know this will sound stupid but this file is a new zc_install file that overwrites the old one when upgrading, right

zc_install is a folder, you should have deleted the original

Yes, the zc_install folder of the new version replaces the zc_install folder of the old version.

When you're done with upgrading your database, you should remove the folder again.

Ok the last thing I am nervous about is the winmerge. i just have never used it. on what files will I need to use it?

You will use winmerge on files in your template folders, principally. But you'll use it on all files once first.

First, check the changelog in the new fileset; if any of the files you have overridden have been changed, you will need to use winmerge on the previous and new versions to find out exactly what was changed. Make good notes including line numbers.

Any of your override files that are not in the changelog can just be copied directly to the new installation's custom template folders (you will have to make all the custom folders in the new install.)

Here is the only tricky part: for any of your files in the changelog, use winmerge on your custom file vs. the new default file. Copy all of your changes to the new file, and save it to your new custom folder (important). If any line you changed was also changed from the previous to new versions (check your notes), you will have to carefully reconcile the changes. You will have to know what you are doing in this case - it can't be automatic.

Good luck, and remember - no mistakes are fatal if you have good backups.

OK i am sorry. i am a complete idiot but i just don't get why i need to use win merge.

say i have not modded anything at all and i have used the override system for my template. if not changes to the templating was made would i still need to use winmerge?

If you have not touched any of the changed files in a new version ...

If you do not have any template and overrides made for any of the files in the new version ...

Then there is nothing to update on your files ...

However, if you have overridden anything that is changed in the new version, then you need to see what updates need to be applied to your override files ...

Example: if we change /includes/templates/template_default/templates/tpl_product_info_display.php

And you have an override:
/includes/templates/your_template_dir/templates/tpl_product_info_display.php

Then you need to update your override to include any changes we have made so that your override still functions correctly ...

ok now this is beginning to make sense

how does winmerge tell if i need to change it

i am comparing my old override to what, classic override?

You would compare the clean Zen Cart v1.3.7 files to your site files ...

If you used the templates and overrides correctly, you compare to your override files ...

If we change a file you never touched or never made an override to ... then you do not care about it ...

If we make a change to a file that you have touched or made an override to, then you do need to see if there are sections of code to update and the comparrison program of Beyond Compare or WinMerge helps you make this comparrison so it is easier to see the changes ...