How to do a Simple, Specific Shopping Cart Layout

[Jimbeau]

I am new to OsCommerce - used ISP's install, don't know OsCommerce version number.

First encounter with PHP (no experience) - looks very C-related, with different syntax.

Me? Years of programming experience in many languages.

This first project is my learning curve; although OsCommerce may be "overkill" for this project, no product without a decent database is practical for eCommerce (my opinion).

PROBLEM - would like the following layout, (client's wishes!) without having to seriously re-write the PHP loops in "default.php" (catalog version), and without any product images being used:


2 pages, with field layout:

<Category 1> VHS


<Title> <Code> <Quantity> <AddToCart>
[Lord of the Rings] [Code zippazuppazoo] [1] [icon/image]
[Sleepless in Seattle] [Code sleepytimefun] [1] [icon/image]
etc ..........


<Category 2> DVD


<Title> <Code> <Quantity> <AddToCart>
[Lord of the Rings] [Code dippaduppadoo] [1] [icon/image]
[Sleepless in Seattle] [Code sleepyfuntime] [1] [icon/image]
etc ..........


The idea is to select a category and then be taken to page 1 or 2. There, the page will contain a simple sequential listing of titles as described above. Each product and quantity should be able to be added to the cart without having to visit the cart either until shopping is complete, or whenever the customer wishes to review "shopping to date".

I've been looking for code modifications - while I'm prepared to modify any code, I'm looking for simple ways or shortcuts.

Thanks for any and all suggestions - Jim

[Jimbeau]

Addition to above.

After reading 6 pages of posts, and seeing all the capabilities listed for the latest version of osCommerce, do you think I'd be further ahead to uninstall the version given by the ISP, and download and install the latest version?

This is what appears at the bottom of the PHP-generated pages:

Copyright © 2001 The Exchange Project : Harald Ponce de Leon
Running on The Exchange Project Preview Release 2.1

"Preview Release 2.1" causes me concern. Comments?

Thanks - Jim

[WebMistress]

I am not sure what that refers to but it does not say what Mine does.

What I did was just drop all the tables in the existing cart that was on the server install because it WAS an old version, and import the database I had already gotten from another site that we had started on before having to move due to it not meeting our needs, and delete all the files within the Catalog, and upload all the new files.

Had no problems.
As long as you remove all the existing info from the one click install, and upload the new catalog fully, as well as import all your DB stuff, you SHOULD be ok..

Good Luck!

[michael_s]

Jimbeau, eek. You are using a REALLY OLD version of osCommerce. I would not use it if you have a choice!

Uninstall it and get a newer version

[jpf]

Version 2.1 is from 2001! It is okay to use - however if you want to "add" anything in (like a contribution - which most are based on NEWER version) you will not find too much help.

Download a current MileStone version like MS2 and install that.

If you want to modify the Layout - easly - then you should install a Template system like BTS or STS.

Download and install MS2-MAX - it already has BTS installed (and more - See this forum's HOME page for more info).

[Jimbeau]

Thanks ALL, for all of the replies.

To get familiar with osCommerce, I will [1] download new version; [2] install PHP on a Windows 2000 server; and [3] run osCommerce using "localhost" mode, locally.

Any other comments (except the usual "you should be using Linux", with which I also agree!).

Thanks, Jim