V3.0 vs 1.5 performance

Hi,

I have a client who is currently using 1.5.5.1 and is looking to rebuild their system on 3.0. Over the years we have made extensive modifications to all areas of the system (system files, database, themes, controllers, models etc). So it's going to be a big task to rebuild on 3.0!

Having had a quick look at the underlying system code for v3, it's not too different to 1.5, so i am wondering if there has been any significant performance improvements since 1.5?

My client isn't interested in the latest features but has almost 200,000 products in their store so performance is a priority!

I don't want to rebuild the entire system only to find that 3.0 is no quicker than 1.5!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

I have tried running the code on a PHP7 server and whilst there is a slight improvement it's not huge! Not to mention deprecated functions!

Is it worth the time to upgrade, or try to improve performance on the 1.5 version?

Regards,
Rob

... system code for v3, it's not too different to 1.5

Well, this might be your first impression, and when it comes to size tagging
Images, you're right, this is still missing, and, exept for a variable-name change,
the same Code is still used.

But other than that, one needs to have some knowledge, to modify an existing 1.5.x
VqMod, to further work on latest OC Version 3 ... But if you're interested, you'll
find more info on this here:
OpenCart change log
https://github.com/opencart/opencart/bl ... ANGELOG.md
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You only have two choices, either, fully install a new Version, and forget about the
old One, since you can use NOTHING out of it anymore, not even the Database, as it
exists, it has to be re-worked also, to be able, to function with OC-3.
https://www.opencart.com/index.php?rout ... n_id=23925
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Or then, mock up the existing Version to it's latest (UN-)Release 1.5.6.5_rc, to THEN
match today's Viewer Habits, by adding some efficient responsive Front Side Layout.
This could be achieved very easy, since a nice Bunch of easy free responsive Themes
exist. Even some real free Bootstrap Themes are available, and most of them work well.
I've been spending lots of time on them, insecure, whether to move up in Theme Version
or not. Some stylesheets need some fixes, as I recall, to really work up to standards.
https://www.opencart.com/index.php?rout ... load_id=33
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But whatever you do, just DO NOT try to UPGRADE anything, by simply
overwriting existing (live) Code. Not even inside of the same Main Version (1.5.6.x)
And sure NOT the Database, make a couple of FULL Copies on your Server, and use
one of those (copy including Tables and everything).
And don't KILL the existing Shop, by playing around with it, but create another
Installation and DB for tests, to work on.
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But there will be no difference in Performance, regardless of the Version used, at least, if
one is able and willing, to make an OC work, as it could. An minimal acceptable Setup
should get a GTMETRIX Desktop Rating of about ~94% / ~87%, and a Mobile Rating
of ~88% / ~88%, for a 20-24 Product Category Page, and this can be achieved with
all Versions, as long as not much Custom Mods, Themes, and Code is hindering them
from doing their Job in the most efficient way.
---
So, whatever you'll decide on, some work will be involved. And if you decide, to stay
with 1.5.6.x, you can download the latest Version 1.5.6.5_rc here, it was suddenly
'hidden' from 'public' view, as final 1.5.6.5 release, since OC v.2 was out on the Road
already for 3 months, when it got it's debut on Github, but it still exists, and is errorfree
since ... :
https://github.com/IP-CAM
---
REAL Bootstrap-3 responsive OC-2 Themes, matched for 1.5.6.x, require some
additional Code, not existing in default v.1.5.6.x default Source. Commercial Extensions
like Pav, Journal, e.t.c. use their own ways, to overcome this, but some of those Themes
tend to slow down overall Shop Performance in remarkable Numbers as well.

But to use the Default OC-2+ Technology, one could just add an Oc2 Theme
to version 1.5 Extension, to then serve as DEFAULT Theme, (by, at first, only
renaming the Original OC Theme to something else!)
https://www.opencart.com/index.php?rout ... n_id=23641
It has everything built into a VqMod, what is coded in default Source Files in
PEKU's OpenCart EDGE Version!
---
Still, even in such a Case, you will sure have to RE-CHECK all Extensions, beeing
'active' in some ways on the Front Site Layout, by example, in the Product Page, to
do their job, because their VqMod ANCHOR-Links, Content, and Style, have to
match the new OC-2+ Theme Style+Code Content.

Opencart EDGE is a complete Shop. BUT it still has some minor misses, and
I could only install it with my own PHP 7 OC Install Routine. With PHP 5.x, it should
not be a problem, I assume.But I therefore advise one, to better use a default 1.5.6.5_rc,
and add PEKU's OC-2 Theme Extension, instead of using the Software linked below, for
the time beeing at least.
https://www.opencart.com/index.php?rout ... n_id=27779
or contact me for free assistance HERE at the Forum, if you run into a Problem ...

BOTH of PEKU's Extensions also contain OcMod, for those, eager to fill
the Database, instead of the vqmod/xml/ -Directory with Filedata. I also made an
OcMod Editor work!
But it can be removed, manually, as shown on the image below, it makes NO SENSE,
to have 'em both on Board, and working, by doing nothing, but the same, only twice !

... to so eventually one day be able, to have a choice of many nice 3-6 File Theme
Designs, downloadable for free, and in most cases, it only takes the simple (slightly adapted)
Header, the Footer, and the Stylesheet, placed into their Subs in another Theme Directory, to
make something look (and work!), as planned:

Most all Custom Themes shown work on/with the 'common' OC System/Controller/Model/Language
Source, and use no specific Mods or Files. Unfortunately, I was not yet able, to link the images to the
corresponding Extension Pages...
http://www.opencart.li/themes.html
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That's about it. But since you have to work hard anyway, I wanted to give you a Chance,
to think about it first, before changing everything, down to the last VqMod.
And it took much longer than expected at first...
Good Luck!
Ernie
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