best practices?
 

So, I'm new to X-Cart, and so far I feel like I'm figuring things out alright, but I have one question I'd love to have some of you experts weigh in on.

I've noticed that there is a lot of built-in overlap -- the main template files (i.e. those in the common_files directory) and then the skin templates (i.e. those in the directory of each skin.

I'm curious: when you make modifications, when do you choose to edit the skin version and when do you choose to edit the common version? Is there a reason to choose one or the other for a specific modification?

I've made so many customizations to my skin that it's practically its own new thing now and I don't anticipate EVER switching to another skin, but I'm just wondering what the experts advise.

Thanks!
Julie

Re: best practices?
 

Combine all in one css file, delete redundant code, clean it up and load only this file.

Re: best practices?
 

Yea, combine all into one CSS file. The templates don't actually overlap - there are a few in the actual skin directory and those take priority over the common_files ones, so you only need to edit in one place. Delete the duplicates if it makes it less confusing, I do.

Re: best practices?
 

Hi!

The multi-folder template system makes sense when you have a base layout and several color variations. If your custom theme is based on a default X-Cart skin (and just overrides a couple of files) just copy and modify a skin template folder - that will allow you to apply X-Cart patches on the unmodified main templates files without affecting/corrupting your custom modifications. If your custom theme is a completely new solid skin, there is no need to split it into two folders. However, more likely, in this case you'll have to manually apply X-Cart patches on your template files (if needed).