Custom field for sort order in products table

[shubele]

Hi,

I've been playing around with Ablecommerce for a few days, so I don't know much about it. If I add a nullable field called "DisplayOrder" to ac_Products, how can I tie that into the Product class so I can edit and update that value?


Thanks!

[jmestep]

It would be better to not add a new field to the products table, but to use a new table or a template field or product custom field so you won't run into a possible problem with an upgrade in the future. You can use one of the existing product fields if you are not using them all. For example, we had a client use the manufacturer field and had a nightly routine where it updated the field with new rankings.
If you are trying to tweak the order products display in when a customer first comes to a category page, you can re-order the products in the admin.

[shubele]

Hi jmestep,

What's the difference between a template field and a product custom field?



Thanks!

[jmestep]

A template field has an interface in the admin- you create a template, add the fields you want, apply the template to the product on the edit product page.
A product custom field has no interface and you have to create the input box and code to save the custom field entry yourself on the edit product page.