Editing Miva merchant 1

[gcole]

I want to edit the .mv files that miva creates. What is the best way to do this?

 

[foxdev]

First, make a backup.

Second, make another backup ;-)

You can use any plain-vanilla text editor, such as Windows Notepad. Just be sure that you save it as plain text, not HTML, RTF, or some other format.

When you down- and upload the .mv files, be sure to do it in ASCII mode rather than Binary. -----------------
Robert Bradley
use coupon code "TEKTIPS" for 15% off at:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

http://www.foxdev.com

 

[gcole]

Do you know if I can do this with 3.1? I am so glad someone is talking on this forum. Miva's discussion groups are a bit difficult to work with.

 

[foxdev]

Miva's discussion groups are a bit difficult to work with.

Definitely...that's why I asked Tek-Tips to start this forum; now all we need are more people!

Yes, you can do this on version 3. All the .mv files are scripts that are processed by the Miva engine on the server, and thus are all text files.

I'm running

http://www.lowcostprints.com

on v3, and I modify the mmui.mv somewhat frequently (usually when installing new modules that need code modifications). -----------------
Robert Bradley
use coupon code "TEKTIPS" for 15% off at:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

http://www.foxdev.com

 

[gcole]

Great, I am going to work on the FTP transfer tomorrow. I can't wait to get into the scripts, it should be so much easier. I have done some FTP but it has been awhile. I see you are a FoxPro programmer. I used it for 5 years (5.0). I loved it and wish I could find a position that uses it.
Thanks for your help!

 

[gcole]

Now that I am in, how do I access the products and there attributes? Is there a dbf that holds the information?

 

[foxdev]

I need to know more about what you are trying to do. Naturally, you'd normally use the Admin interface to modify products, descriptions, prices, and so forth. -----------------
Robert Bradley
use coupon code "TEKTIPS" for 15% off at:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

http://www.foxdev.com

 

[gcole]

I have an attribute for size that has 10+ sizes with weight ranges included. They need to go in the drop box. I want to add them to the relevant products with re-typing them each time. If I can find the code, I can paste them in.

 

[foxdev]

You should be able to assign them as attributes, but I imagine your point is that it is a lot of typing for each product. I know that attributes can be imported from a file, but I don't know if that is a built-in feature or an add-on module.

The data for the products is in (surprise) products.dbf, and there are other tables that relate to it. They are stored in your store's directory, usually under HTSDATA/Merchant directory.

Be very, very careful about modifying these DBFs using external programs. Merchant uses its own proprietary indexes, and you can corrupt them by modifying the DBFs outside of Miva.
-----------------
Robert Bradley
use coupon code "TEKTIPS" for 15% off at:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

http://www.foxdev.com

 

[gcole]

Can I use Foxpro to modify, or does it need to be an ascii edit? I will back everything up, I learned that one years ago. Thanks for all your help!

 

[foxdev]

I've tried editing some of the DBFs using VFP - modifying the structure to add a new column, in my case - and it didn't work because VFP insisted on changing the Memo field file from the DBT format to the FPT format.

To do basic data editing, it might work, but the big gotcha is the Miva indexes - any external database program isn't going to update them, so if you are adding rows, or editing columns that are part of an index, it may well cause problems...although you could try running the Pack Data Files option in Admin to see if it rebuilds the indexes. -----------------
Robert Bradley
use coupon code "TEKTIPS" for 15% off at:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

http://www.foxdev.com

 

[gcole]

Thanks for your help. I got the dbf stuff working. I am still working out a few relationships kinks, but I am close. Packfiles does rebuild indexs.

 

[foxdev]

Excellent! Maybe you should FAQ some of your findings. -----------------
Robert Bradley
use coupon code "TEKTIPS" for 15% off at:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

http://www.foxdev.com

 

[Guest_imported]

I'm currently using Miva Order on a site that sells a service rather than a product. I would like to make the following tweaks. Are these possible without jeopardizing the contents of the mmui file. If possible, what editor would you use to make such changes? I tried this once before with Miva Merchant using Word Pad and it ended up eliminating the store.

I would like to accomplish the following:
1.) There are essentially three different packages that are sold. Can I edit "Quantity" and change it to "Select"?
2.) Can I change the "Quantity" fields to check boxes or radio buttons?
3.) Since nothing is being shipped, can I just keep the "Bill To" section and remove or hide the "Ship To" section?
4.) Finally, how can I eliminate or hide the shipping information section on the credit card selection form?

Any information or direction would greatly be appreciated?

Thank You,

Michael

 

[foxdev]

I believe all 4 can be done by modifying the MMUI.MV file. 1 & 2 should be pretty straightforward; 3 & 4 I'm less sure about.

You can use any pure-text editor, such as Windows Notepad. -----------------
Robert Bradley
use coupon code "TEKTIPS" for 15% off at:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

http://www.foxdev.com