Question regarding the zencart manual - will it teach me FTP/cpanel?

I have a working zencart that I did not install/setup etc.

Because I no longer have a web person and I want to be able to fix things when things go wrong I have installed a test cart to play with.

Question:
Does the zencart manual go into detail on how to customize the cart using ftp/php and whatever else????

I know how to do just about everything through admin but have never done anything through cpanel except backup my site and install the test cart.

Im assuming to change the actual template (like header, logo, colors etc) that needs to be done through cpanel/ftp?

No. It is a very comprehensive administrator's guide, which would be of use to almost everybody (I use it and know other very active contributors to this forum who also keep a copy handy), but it is about administering Zen Cart rather than general web topics like FTP and CPanel.

Also, although FTP is used to upload files that you have changed, it is no more than that. I have never used CPanel to make changes to my files. Although I understand that there is an editor there, it is reputed to have a nasty habit of corrupting files and is not recommended.

More significant for managing your template would be knowledge of HTML and then a bit of PHP and certainly CSS. I'd recommend checking out the training at https://www.w3schools.com.

Thank you...it was the answer I was looking for!
I have been on that html website before and will check it out again!
Thanks!

You'll find FTP is pretty easy to use. Search for Filezilla on the net. It's a free FTP client which should allow you to upload and download from your domain.

CPanel is a different kettle of fish since it's your interface to your website.

Under no circumstances use the CPanel editor to edit Zen Cart files. Get yourself a decent text editor like Crimson Editor (also free) or use NotePad. There are several others available as well.

If you happen to be on a Mac I would reccomend Coda, it is a great text editor for code, but it also has an excellent FTP client built in.