Beginners guide

[Akarr]

i tried to install but it seems it requires good programing skills or good knowledge of mysql. SQL is not my strongest side

 

what do i need to be up and running with oscommerce. i mean what programs i need a few examples both freeware and commercial. i more wanted to set up a test enviorment and see if i could do this and maybe in future to set up a webshop live.

 

thanks for all the information i can get

[Guest]

If you have common sense, you can figure out OSC. You don't need to "know" MySql really just now how to get into it to add databases. Usually your host can help explain this to you. It's just a matter of logging in and pasting the SQL scripts provided for you. There are freeware programs available to do this like Putty (not for Macs).

 

The code is written in PHP, something I knew nothing about 3 months ago. Now I can fix problems on my own for the most part. If you have DreamWeaver or Adobe Go Live you can edit these files. You could probably do it in some text editor too, but that would be a painfully slow and annoying process I bet. (The programs color code commands so it is easier to edit)

 

Most of the installation and fixes and what not are all copying and pasting. I have only come across 3 problems that were not listed here in the forum already and they didnt stay problems for long.

 

Many webhosts have OSC pre-packaged into their control panel software and all you have to do is hit install. If you dont need a heavily modded site then stick to the admin section where everything is a one click friendly setup.

 

Hope that helps.

[niknakgroup]

oscommerce is designed for entry level programmers - honestly, when i started i knew a bit of html, and nothing else! You need access to your server through some kind of ftp programme - do a google for free ftp software and you'll be set on that one. As for sql manipulation, most hosting packages include some kind of sql management tool already, such as phpMyAdmin, but if not then phpMyAdmin is available for free from www.sourceforge.net

 

Take a look at the Knowledge Base and anything you get stuck on, try a search of these forums - most starter questions have been asked before, so the help is already on hand. If you get REALLY stuck, post a new question like you just did and you should get an answer fairly quickly, provided you explain the problem properly!

 

Welcome aboard, and give yourself a break - if you think its some massive task for experienced programmers, you've lost before you start - this is a really powerful piece of kit, and yes high level php people use it, but so do loads and loads of people around the world who have very little knowledge of php!