Upgrading to 3.5.x

[m0nde]

What exactly is involved in upgrading to 3.5.x?

I currently use vBadvanced and vBa Gallery. I know that these won't work with 3.5.x and I know that my users will have a fit if they're missing.

In addition, I use Ucash/Ushop with the Arcade Pass.

I understand that v3Arcade won't work either so I guess I'll have to move to ibProArcade unless someone ports v3Arcade to 3.5.x.

I have quite a few hacks installed also.

Is there some guide to moving to 3.5.x which tells novice users like me what to do to salvage their modifications in a step-by-step checklist?

Also, is it possible to run 3.5.x side-by-side with 3.0.x using the same forum database to see what's going on and slowly update the 3.5.x forum?

- Sid

nota bene: this question was also asked here on vbulletin.com

[Jenta]

u cant run 2 forums using the same database
and you cant upgrade to 3.5 and keep your old hacks
you need to start clean and install any hacks that may have been ported over
the rest you either have to code yourself or hope they get ported over one day

[m0nde]

Originally Posted by Jenta

u cant run 2 forums using the same database

Is the database structure that different in 3.5.x that you can't access the 3.0.7 database or clone it and use that one while you make the modifications?

and you cant upgrade to 3.5 and keep your old hacks

This is a given...I know that you can't use 3.0.7 hacks in 3.5.x. My question had to do with a systematic way of documenting changes and hacks and moving them over once they're released.

- Sid

[Jenta]

I mean you cant be writing to the same database from 2 seperate installations of vbulletin.
I guess in theory you can. One uses table prefix the other one uses a different table prefix or non at all.

Besides you would need 2 licences. One for each instance of vBulletin.

Not really sure what you mean by your second question. Document what? What hacks you have installed on 3.0? Right them down on a piece of paper perhaps. Then check them off as they are ported over to 3.5 and installed them.

Don't think this is what you are asking though.

It's best just to abandon and forget about your 3.0 hacks and start fresh. If you are not ready to take this step, stick with 3.0. It's a tough decision but I eventually made it and am happy that I did. My users miss some things but they are not dying over them.

As far as your original question - what is involved in upgrading.
You upload 3.5, edit config.php and run install/upgrade.php
Make sure you back everything up first!

After that a lot of your modified templates will need to be reverted. It's best just to create a new stock style and start make changes to it...using your old style as a reference. Then delete the 3.0 style.

[Paul M]

Originally Posted by Jenta

I mean you cant be writing to the same database from 2 seperate installations of vbulletin.
I guess in theory you can. One uses table prefix the other one uses a different table prefix or non at all.

Technically I can't see any reason why two versions of vB could not use the same database, I assume you would need two licences to do it live, but the database itself would not care. I have done it in the past on my test system, running different 3.0.x systems in parallel to check & port hacks when upgrading.

I don't think any 3.5.0 table changes would stop 3.0.7 code from running, but the results may be a bit odd as all the templates have been updated, and the version number would display as 3.5.0. probably not a good idea, but possible in theory.

[Wayne Luke]

Originally Posted by m0nde

Is the database structure that different in 3.5.x that you can't access the 3.0.7 database...?

Yes... You can copy it and make modifications on a copy of the database but your 3.0.7 files won't be able to use the database properly after you upgrade the clone.

[Kirk Y]

@Jenta
Multiple versions can easily be run from the same database. Table prefixes set the forums apart.

@m0nde
If I were you, I'd simply wait until the Stable Release of 3.5.0. There will more than likely be guided upgrade directions, if you can't figure it out you can always contact a Support Specialist at vBulletin.com. The majority of 3.0.7's hacks have been or are being ported through 3.5.0's beta stages. So vBAdvanced CMPS and v3 Arcade will make a reappearance. I created a test board to ensure that I could safely upgrade from 3.0.7 to 3.5.0, everything worked fine for me. My only problem was that the installer attempted to add some elements into my tables that already existed. Other than that, the upgrade ran smooth.

[Jenta]

Originally Posted by acidburn0520

@Jenta
Multiple versions can easily be run from the same database. Table prefixes set the forums apart.

I already said that but doesn't really seem practical. That's why I said in theory. What would be the point unless your host only gives you one database and you need to run 2 forums?