We have been working hard to improve the process of our plugin updates and plugin compatibility, while streamlining the overall shopping system in version 3. ?It is important to stay current with any software, but with a shopping system, even more so.
New Update Processes
With V3, we have streamlined the plugin into a one click update within the regular WordPress plugins section. ?In V2, you had to update ?the plugin PLUS update your theme and layout files for WP EasyCart, but not anymore.
V3 brings the ability to handle child themes. ?When we say child themes, we are talking about EasyCart’s system, not WordPress themes. ?Since there are so many design elements in a shopping cart, we actually have our own design files and with V3 they are updated along with the plugin.
How Do You Use the New Theme Files?
To insure you are using the latest downloaded theme files, simply go to the EasyCart Admin -> Store Setup -> Design File Management area and select ‘No Child Theme’ for both layout and theme. ?The system will then use the new design files that are updated with every plugin update from here forward.
How do Child themes work in EasyCart?
Just simply create a folder in the /wp-easycart-data/design/layout or theme folder and then copy the file you wish to modify from the regular /wp-easycart/design/layout or theme folder to your child theme in the wp-easycart-data folder. The go to the EasyCart Admin -> Store Setup -> Design File Management page and select the folder you created. The logic for this system works as follows: IF the EasyCart finds a child file in this /wp-easycart-data folder specified, it will use it, OTHERWISE, it will fall back to the main design files in the core plugin.
A great example is if you wanted to modify the email receipt that goes to your customers. ?Simply copy that file from the /wp-easycart folder down to the /wp-easycart-data child folder you create and select your folder to be used as a child layout. ?Now that one file will be used, but everything else can be used from the core plugin. ?If you update the plugin, your changed file is not removed, yet the rest of the core files are updated.
Security Fixes
It’s also important to understand as we continue to update the plugin, keep your plugin version up to date so that you have the most current security fixes and modifications to work in latest WordPress version. If current on updates and design files, you are much less likely to get into trouble with compromised systems.
