Choice of version to start a project

[lello]

Hello everyone, it's my first post, thank you for accepting me.

I discovered this extension thanks to Jan's advice on FB, which I thank.

I have to use it only as a catalogue, so no cart and prices and with the filter that I will only need to manage the alphabetical order and manufacturers.

I've already done my tests and the extension is perfect and does everything I need.
Having to start now I will obviously install J5. So I have doubts, and this is the question I ask on the forum, whether to install the 5.0 beta version of the component and the filter or the latest stable version which should be 4.0.10.

I conducted my tests with 4.0.10 and as confirmed by Jan it works in J5, albeit with the compatibility plugin activated.

Regarding the beta version, I read that it should not be used on production sites but only for testing.

So, in conclusion, how should I start a project that involves the inclusion of hundreds of products in order to ensure long-term continuity?

More specifically I ask if version 4.0.10 will be upgradeable to 5 when the stable version is released.

Or if it is more convenient to start directly with beta 5.

Thanks in advance to anyone who wants to give me advice on starting.

Best regards

Lello

[sulpher]

Hi Lello,

The answer can be found in your question.
Beta version never should be used on production/live sites since such versions cannot be upgraded.
The best way for you is to start making the site based on Joomla 4 / Phoca Cart and later upgrade it to Joomla 5 and to stable version of Phoca Cart 5.

Later - I do not know exact deadline, but Joomla 4 will reach its end of life after 2 years, so there is enough time
But since the beta version is already here, I hope we can wait the stable version to be released this year.

[lello]

Hi Sulpher,

Thank you for the answer!

As I wrote version 4.0.10 works correctly in J5 with the compatibility plugin activated.

I could also go the route you suggested, starting with J4 and then upgrading to J5, but the real question is: will Phoca Cart 4.0.10 be upgradeable to Phoca Cart 5?

This is the thing that worries me before starting a site that will contain hundreds of items.

[Benno]

Hi,
the Phoca project really depends on one person: Jan Pavelka ( the linked article is in german language, but with some translation progam you will able to understand the content), and has done so continuously since 2007. Of course, tomorrow a roof tile or something else could fall on his head, a war could break out, a traffic accident or some other tragedy of life could happen. No one knows or can assess that. But if we don't assume the worst-case scenario and knock on wood three times, the Phoca project and therefore Phoca Cart will continue.
Therefore:

More specifically I ask if version 4.0.10 will be upgradeable to 5 when the stable version is released.

Yes, I think so.

Kind regards,
Benno

[Jan]

Hi, yes,

the 4.0.10 will be upgradable to 5.0.0 as other versions - using standard Joomla update method - all is based on Joomla update methods.

We will soon release RC version of Phoca Cart 5.0.0. We have intergrated new multilanguage feature in Phoca Cart 5.0.0 which was not plan (we wanted to do in some next version). So this is why there is still no stable version. But the work is mostly finished and we are testing it now.

Jan

[lello]

Thanks Jan and Benno for the reply, that's all what I wanted to know to move forward.
And let's hope that no roof tiles fall on Jan's head regardless of any considerations about the extension.
Anyway Jan... do not walk near the walls of buildings!

[Jan]

Fortunately, there are other developers who now work on Phoca Cart too and know the code very well, so I can walk near the walls