How do you manage template changes?

[TechDawgFan]

I've customized several templates be it because of my custom preferences or modifications which have been installed. On several of my upgrades, I've had to revert templates as part of the upgrade, and when I do, these template changes are lost and have to be reproduced. It has not been uncommon for me to 'miss' a customized change in the process.

I was just wondering how other people are managing their template changes and making sure they get them all back in. Do you have a personal file that lists all your customizations? Are you using the template history and comparing the customized to reverted template and adding them in? Other methods?

I'd be really interested in hearing how other people are managing this.

TDF

[TheProphet]

I have a directory witch contain every hack i installed on my board, when i upgrade, ill check every hack that suppose to be there also is showing on my board.

But im quite currious how others do this aswell

[peterska2]

I'd be lying if I said I document anything.

Generally I just compare the two templates and take it from there. A lot of the time when it is a minor upgrade (eg 3.5.3 to 3.5.4) they list exactly what needs to be changed in each template so I just apply that. If I have to revert I create a child style first, make the changes on there, then export it and import it to overwrite the existing style.

[TechDawgFan]

Originally Posted by peterska2

I'd be lying if I said I document anything.

Generally I just compare the two templates and take it from there. A lot of the time when it is a minor upgrade (eg 3.5.3 to 3.5.4) they list exactly what needs to be changed in each template so I just apply that. If I have to revert I create a child style first, make the changes on there, then export it and import it to overwrite the existing style.

All right, let me make sure I understand that correctly. I'll probably butcher it because I'll admit that I don't fully understand the inheritance associated with child styles.

Are these the steps you go through?

If you are going to have to revert a template which has modifications in it:

1. Create a child style off of your existing style (The child will have all the same options and templates as the parent)
2. Revert the template in the CHILD style
3. Manually update the reverted child template with all of your modifications
4. Test the child style to make sure you got everything
5. Download the Child style selecting "Get customizations made only in this style"
6. Upload the style overwriting your old style

If that is correct, could you explain to me what the "Get customizations made in this style and all parent styles " does?

Thanks for your reply. I'm always looking at better ways of doing it and using a child style has never occurred to me.

Chris

[peterska2]

It's not the most effective way of doing it, and I wouldn't recommend doing it that way to anyone. It's way I have got used to using for developmental work and bug testing.

The best way to do it is to take a backup of your style, make the template changes. If it doesn't work, reimport the style from the file you exported and start again. Repeat as required.