Do I need a database?

[sewerat]

Is it possible to complete the installation and configuration without a database? (ie: store all customer info in files instead) My current hosting package is lowest of the low and does not provide a MySQL database. (the next level does) Right now I am just trying to proof a concept of OSCommerce and do not want to change levels. (at least not yet)

 

I am coming from the AgoraCart world where I did not need a database however, I am getting tired of the AgoraCart headaches and am looking for something simpler to configure and install for my customers.

 

Thx.

[digbydo]

Is it possible to complete the installation and configuration without a database?

if you could I'd be more than interested in how you achieved it... :)

the database is the engine, the rest is just display...

[sewerat]

If I can remember as it has been a while since I have configured one....in Agoracart the order and session info was stored in files and log files. It appears to drop session files into the cart folders and once the order was complete the session files were dumped. (one limitation that I never figured out was customer registration....whcih is where a database makes things easier....)

 

In terms of a catalog it was also stored in files and not a MySQL database and the catalog was maintained by an admin web UI.

 

The order details were emailed to the account I specified and the credit card info was spilt in two. 1st half in the email and the 2nd half dropped onto the server. From there I could do offline processing.(not to say that Agoracart can't do online processing..I just never implemented it.)

 

In terms of your question you PM'd me.....my host package where I had the cart working without MySQL is like $6 CDN a month....supports everything else I need in terms of scripting, speed, traffic capacity/allotment etc.

 

The reason I asked the orignal question is that the config of the Agoracart is cludgy and I had a few problems with it...not that I was ever left not working...I just thought that OSCommerce might be easier to work with.