Zencart user looking for some advice

[Jonathan22]

Hello,

 

I'm new to Prestashop (currently been using Zencart).

 

One problem I've had with my clients is regarding the Zencart updates. In short they cant do the updates (unless I get a tech savvy client). Thus why Prestashop and the 1 click update module really attracts me.

 

So i thought id do a fresh install of prestashop and have a bit of a play about with it regarding customization. That's where I hit a interesting wall and could do with some advice.

 

Looking at the theme files I can edit the layout using header and footer and insert any html etc I need. I then saw the hooks and after a quick read-up learned how they work (great idea by the way!).

 

So my question is as follows;

If I want to create a completely unique layout and I edit header/footer plus edit some of the module's html, what will happen with the 1 click update?

 

Will it overwrite the changes?

 

My ideal situation would be for Prestashop to just update the site so it remained secure and possibly add any new features without altering the modules (simple modules such as search box, cart box etc) or sites layout.

 

Is this possible?

[jhnstcks]

When you use the one click upgrade, you can specify not to update the default theme. If you are using a custom theme where the name of the thme is different, the upgrade won't touch that.

 

As for the modules, you can create module overrides in your theme for the .tpl files (.php files won't be overridden). Put the files in themes>yourtheme>modules>nameofthemodule>.

 

The problem is though, that any important updates will not be added onto the site if they are in the theme of module files.

[Jonathan22]

Hi Jhnstcks

 

Thanks for the info. My main concern is security. So as far as I can see the only way to make sure the client will never have to compare any files for changes is to only alter the CSS of the basic theme?

 

Or is it a case that their is a specified amount of core files which assuming they aren't altered Prestashop can keep updated and your site secure (assuming no modules are used).