Which is the best opencart version to upgrade from 2.2

Hi,

Someone I know wants to upgrade their website made in Opencart 2.2 to a newer version. They have many code edits and customizations. Which version of opencart would be best to upgrade to? The suggested version might support a variety of extensions. And what would be best way to move website to newer version of Opencart?

Please suggest.

At this point in time I favor these versions:

https://github.com/condor2/Opencart_2302_PHP_8

https://github.com/condor2/Opencart_2302

Why not Open cart 3.0 or 3.2

talentive wrote: ↑

Tue Oct 04, 2022 8:13 am

Why not Open cart 3.0 or 3.2

I'm not a fan of Twig plus I just generally find it easier to work with. Again, it's just my personal preference.

OpenCart 4.0 is not yet ready for live stores --- the latest version (4.0.1.1) still has some bugs to fix. Additionally, the extension system has been changed, so all extensions have to be modified to work with 4.0. This means that there aren't as many for 4.0 as other versions yet.

I would recommend either the versions johnp recommended, or the latest 3.0 version ( 3.0.3.8 ). If you need PHP 8 support, then there are 3.0.3.8 versions being worked on for that, so it's probably the one you want to choose. Otherwise, there aren't a lot of benefits to 3.0.3.8 over 2.3.0.2, so it's more your preference.

However, I typically don't recommend upgrading unless you have a very important reason to. If you aren't experiencing problems with the site, and it's functional currently, then upgrading will probably cause you more problems than it would solve. Re-installing extensions and redoing modifications can take a lot of time, or if you're hiring someone to do it, cost quite a bit. You should make sure you actually *need* to upgrade before attempting it.

Go for OCt 3.0.3.8, or, if you need support for PHP 8.0 or 8.1, you could use the OC 3.0.x.x_Maintenance release. Do a fresh install rather than an upgrade, the latter usually fails.

JNeuhoff wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 05, 2022 2:01 am

Go for OCt 3.0.3.8, or, if you need support for PHP 8.0 or 8.1, you could use the OC 3.0.x.x_Maintenance release. Do a fresh install rather than an upgrade, the latter usually fails.

Isn't this version better: https://github.com/opencart/opencart-3
At least as I see it, the original is NOT full compatible with php 8.x (8.1.x).

OSWorX wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 05, 2022 7:06 pm

JNeuhoff wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 05, 2022 2:01 am

Go for OCt 3.0.3.8, or, if you need support for PHP 8.0 or 8.1, you could use the OC 3.0.x.x_Maintenance release. Do a fresh install rather than an upgrade, the latter usually fails.

Isn't this version better: https://github.com/opencart/opencart-3
At least as I see it, the original is NOT full compatible with php 8.x (8.1.x).

Well, opencart-3 is more like a future 3.1.0.0 release which is still under development by straightlight. But yes, it supports PHP 8, too. The 3.0.x.x_Maintenance is basically like 3.0.3.8, but has bugfixes and support for PHP 8, and is more likely to support existing OC 3 extensions.

JNeuhoff wrote: ↑

Wed Oct 05, 2022 8:43 pm

Well, opencart-3 is more like a future 3.1.0.0 release which is still under development by straightlight. But yes, it supports PHP 8, too. The 3.0.x.x_Maintenance is basically like 3.0.3.8, but has bugfixes and support for PHP 8, and is more likely to support existing OC 3 extensions.

Ah and thanks for clarification.
But as far as I can see, straightlight is not the maintainer (or he has changed his or using there another name )

I am pretty certain TheCartpenter on github is the same one posting as straightlight here on this forum.

TheCartpenter literally posted hundreds over hundreds of little pull requests on github, many of them weren't bugfixes as such, but more along the lines of beautifying the code, or adding PHP 8 style type specifiers and/or hints. Hence Daniel made him the maintainer of the opencart-3 repository. I have been focusing on the 3.0.x.x_Maintenance branch which is more similar to OC 3.0.3.8, with added bugfixes and PHP 8 compatibility.

The main effort by Daniel himself is focused on the development of OpenCart 4 as you know. But it will take time to get OC 4 into a stable enough release for live websites, and of course it will take some time for 3rd party developers to port their extensions to OpenCart 4. In the meantime, the current stable versions are 3.0.x.x_Maintenance (think of it as 3.0.3.8 with bugfixes and PHP 8 support), or the code from the opencart-3 repository (think of it as an upcoming 3.1.0.0 release, for PHP 8 ) .

JNeuhoff wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 06, 2022 6:11 pm

I am pretty certain TheCartpenter on github is the same one posting as straightlight here on this forum.

I love it when the same user use different names on each platform - could someone explain me such stupid behaviour?

JNeuhoff wrote: ↑

Thu Oct 06, 2022 6:11 pm

TheCartpenter literally posted hundreds over hundreds of little pull requests on github, many of them weren't bugfixes as such, but more along the lines of beautifying the code, or adding PHP 8 style type specifiers and/or hints. Hence Daniel made him the maintainer of the opencart-3 repository. I have been focusing on the 3.0.x.x_Maintenance branch which is more similar to OC 3.0.3.8, with added bugfixes and PHP 8 compatibility.

The main effort by Daniel himself is focused on the development of OpenCart 4 as you know. But it will take time to get OC 4 into a stable enough release for live websites, and of course it will take some time for 3rd party developers to port their extensions to OpenCart 4. In the meantime, the current stable versions are 3.0.x.x_Maintenance (think of it as 3.0.3.8 with bugfixes and PHP 8 support), or the code from the opencart-3 repository (think of it as an upcoming 3.1.0.0 release, for PHP 8 ) .

People (to be honest, me too) get confused slowly (or faster) with all those versions and different repos somewhere!
And then a release 3.x.x.x on the 4th of October 2022.
While I understand why it was published, but honestly: does that not lead to many misunderstandings?

When OC 3.x was published the first time, all of us thought it will be an intermediate release.
As a "preperation" to the 4.x branch.
But 3.x lived more than 4 years!
3.1.x was a complete desaster.
4.x is still not better.

As it seems, there is no line, no guideline what's next.
Beside the fact, that since many years no timelines are published, nor which versions will be maintained and how long, and which not.
One word: frustrating!

The bottom line is this:

The opencart-3 repository (OC 3.1.x.x releases) is not yet completed, but when it is, it will be short lived, because by then there will be a stable version of the new OpenCart 4 series. Hence it probably won't be worth the time to port extensions to 3.1.x.x, and then again to 4.x.x.x.

IMHO it makes more sense to continue with 3.0.3.8, and if you need to run it on PHP 8, use the 3.0.x.x_Maintenance branch. That will give you enough breathing space to focus on the upcoming OpenCart 4 series, porting your extensions at your own pace over to OpenCart 4.

If you aren't experiencing problems with the site, and it's functional currently, then upgrading will probably cause you more problems than it would solve. Re-installing extensions and redoing modifications can take a lot of time, or if you're hiring someone to do it, cost quite a bit. You should make sure you actually *need* to upgrade before attempting it.

totally agree. I just spent days on oc 2.1. -> 3040 and I am about to stop. My most important extensions do NOT work the way I want them to work.

michael2820 wrote: ↑

Wed Sep 18, 2024 1:35 pm

My most important extensions do NOT work the way I want them to work.

As always (since the beginning of OpenCart), an "update" from one major version to the another is ... (custom) work!

No matter if 1.x to 2.x or 3.x, or 2.x to 3.x - or (when it comes finally to a stable release 4.1.x) to 4.x
With every version major changes were made, either the template engine or (and) the system functions.

Because of that facts, extension for one version will not work with the target version.
Sometimes it's easy to convert them, in some cases it will need more work to get them running as desired.

Nobody can expect, that updating between major versions will make extensions to run from the bginning.
The last years we have updated many shops, was it from 1.x to 2.x/3.x or 2.x to 3.x.
In some cases it was an easy and fast task, in some - rare - it needed more time (and therefore more money - nothing is for free ... ).

What's really important is the fact, that you never touch the running shop!
Leave it and earn money.
But beside this, work on the update in another instance (best on same server).
Also important, if you are in hurry (because of security or the php version is too old and/or your hoster is switching and give you a timeline), work as written: let the original store and work on the update beside.

These days an update has to be made!
One reason are old php versions!
All versions prior to 8.1.x are outdated and will not be maintained anymore > read: https://php.watch/versions
Therefore they will be a security risk!

These fact will lead us to a useable and stable OpenCart version everyone can use these days.
And there is only one: 3.0.4.0 > https://github.com/opencart/opencart/re ... ag/3.0.4.0

Unfortunenately the modified OC 2.3.0.8 (by condor2) is not really an option (already mentioned earlier here above).
But as it seems, this developer learned the lession and reworked this version to be more compatible with existing extensions (removed with last commits some additions which leaded to broken installations): https://github.com/condor2/Opencart_23xx
Not tried it yet, but as can be seen (last commits) it should work "out-of-the-box".

The 2.3.0.8 version was really a great and stable version and when this custom work has no troubles with existing extensions, it could be a worth a try.

Conclusion: no matter if you are running OpenCart version 1.4.x, 1.5.x, 2.x or 3.x: if it's running without any problems, leave it as it is.
But the comparison of all versions will show us, that the latest version should be used.
The latest these days should be 4.x
Should .. but is not true.

First release was published 2 years ago (24th May 2022).
Latest (4.0.2.3) on September 16, 2023

Now we have September 18, 2024
And still no useable (and stable) 4.x release!

OC 3.x was announced as "intermediate release"

4.x first relase was July 27, 2017
3.0.0.0 was released on June 19, 2017

7 years later (!!!!!!!!!) we have no stable 4.x, but an old 3.0.4.0 version (old in years, not technology !).

4.1.x could be a good version, will bring some good, new functions and extensions by default.
But waiting for it is useless!

>>> So make the best of it and choose the version you can live (or you have to live) with <<<

OSworks: I did read it ;-)

Hi there! Upgrading from OpenCart 2.2 can be tricky, especially with customizations. I recommend considering OpenCart 3.x as it offers better support for extensions and improved features. To move to the newer version, it's best to create a backup of the current site, then test the upgrade on a staging environment first. Make sure to check compatibility with existing extensions and custom code. Good luck with the upgrade!