Stock by Attribute v4.0 addon for v1.3.5-1.3.9

Hi all, I'm back with a couple more questions...... I am now using Zen Cart 1.5.4. and have installed the above version of SBA (https://github.com/potteryhouse/stoc...12345678_ZC154). Everything is working as far as the setting of attributes is concerned and even the glitch I had with the previous version has been resolved regarding zero quantities. However, I do have a couple of issues, both of which may well be down to me missing some settings I am sure, but I seem unable to resolve either.

The first issue, is that although I have the setting in 'Configuration/Stock/SBA Show Stock Level on Product Info Page' set to 'true', the quantities are not showing in the drop-down list, as shown on the screen dump attached.

Secondly, on the product info screen, even though some of the options have stock (and in this case there is only one option anyway) the following text is permanently displayed: 'The combination of options you have selected is currently out of stock. Please select another combination.', as shown on the second attached screen dump.

Any advice, help or even just telling me I am twit and change this and that setting, will be gladly received :P

Mike

Attachment #15045
Attachment #15046

I need to modify the default installation script a little, but if you goto configuration-> Dynamic Dropdowns and turn of the single attribute option, the issue described (for single attributes) will go away. :)

Ie, the default programming you are used to seeing will return.

mc12345678:

I need to modify the default installation script a little, but if you goto configuration-> Dynamic Dropdowns and turn of the single attribute option, the issue described (for single attributes) will go away. :)

Ie, the default programming you are used to seeing will return.

Great, thank you, sorted that one. I guess the modification you noted is for the missing quantities ?

Another question I have, the answer may be obvious but I have not seen it. Can options have sub-options? To try and explain, we have products in multiple colours and multiple sizes, so the customer would select the colour first and then size, but of course all sizes may not currently be in stock for all colours. Thus the size stock quantities will be different for differing colours.

Mike

Mikeondraco:

Great, thank you, sorted that one. I guess the modification you noted is for the missing quantities ?

Mike

Two fold actually. Until the single attribute dropdown of dynamic dropdowns is "fixed", it should be turned off from the start (ie, installed with it off). Priority was to find a way to display multiple attributes, which does work as reprogrammed...

While still a little "patchy" trying to ensure a functioning product, a plan in place to make improvements, and that is relatively easy to install/use. :)

mc12345678:

Two fold actually. Until the single attribute dropdown of dynamic dropdowns is "fixed", it should be turned off from the start (ie, installed with it off). Priority was to find a way to display multiple attributes, which does work as reprogrammed...

While still a little "patchy" trying to ensure a functioning product, a plan in place to make improvements, and that is relatively easy to install/use. :)

I think it is quite easy to use, just need to reprogram myself from the way it is done in the package we are currently using (x-cart). It was working fine, but they turned off the multiple attribute feature from the free version and want to charge me $500 per year to use it.....

BTW, I edited my last post adding another question, in case you have not noticed :smile:

Mike

Mikeondraco:

Another question I have, the answer may be obvious but I have not seen it. Can options have sub-options? To try and explain, we have products in multiple colours and multiple sizes, so the customer would select the colour first and then size, but of course all sizes may not currently be in stock for all colours. Thus the size stock quantities will be different for differing colours.

Mike
Hadn't noticed, thanks for pointing out. That is the part that has been specifically modified/created using Dynamic Dropdowns to create an additional choice above the original four of the oob DD. Yes, but at the moment there is a bit of a caveat in it's operation. It is possible to identify the quantity and out-of-stock condition for all attribute options. What you describe is the mutliple attribute condition (multiple option names technically.)

The caveat is this: if in your example, if sizes 5, 7, and 9 are only fabricated for blue, but 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 (or the European equivalents) are offered for all other colours, then when making a selection of blue will indicate that 6 and 8 are out of stock... Technically never available... This is something that is on the platter to fix... Also though, at the moment I believe that a variant must be entered for all options otherwise a stock quantity of the total available sum of all combinations is shown for those options not entered as a variant... Also to be corrected or rather will self correct when the first issue is addressed.

Stock will not be displayed until at the last option of choices, and depending on what stock is missing, an out-of-stock message may appear at a point early in the selection, if all sub-selections are unavailable... More of a thing when three or more attributes are applied to a product...

Mikeondraco:

I think it is quite easy to use, just need to reprogram myself from the way it is done in the package we are currently using (x-cart). It was working fine, but they turned off the multiple attribute feature from the free version and want to charge me $500 per year to use it.....

BTW, I edited my last post adding another question, in case you have not noticed :smile:

Mike

Glad that found that SBA is easy to use. What you saw was Dynamic Dropdowns applied out of the box as directed by the instructions: multiple dropdown used for a single attribute product... For some reason the out of stock message gets hard set. Haven't fixed it yet because potteryhouse and jeking had worked out a single attribute option that works just fine, so back to priorities... :) There are a number of other UI tweaks on the admin side also that I am sure you will come across since you are a previous user of SBA...

Could always apply that to ahhmm something else. :P

mc12345678:

Hadn't noticed, thanks for pointing out. That is the part that has been specifically modified/created using Dynamic Dropdowns to create an additional choice above the original four of the oob DD. Yes, but at the moment there is a bit of a caveat in it's operation. It is possible to identify the quantity and out-of-stock condition for all attribute options. What you describe is the mutliple attribute condition (multiple option names technically.)

The caveat is this: if in your example, if sizes 5, 7, and 9 are only fabricated for blue, but 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 (or the European equivalents) are offered for all other colours, then when making a selection of blue will indicate that 6 and 8 are out of stock... Technically never available... This is something that is on the platter to fix... Also though, at the moment I believe that a variant must be entered for all options otherwise a stock quantity of the total available sum of all combinations is shown for those options not entered as a variant... Also to be corrected or rather will self correct when the first issue is addressed.

Stock will not be displayed until at the last option of choices, and depending on what stock is missing, an out-of-stock message may appear at a point early in the selection, if all sub-selections are unavailable... More of a thing when three or more attributes are applied to a product...

Glad that found that SBA is easy to use. What you saw was Dynamic Dropdowns applied out of the box as directed by the instructions: multiple dropdown used for a single attribute product... For some reason the out of stock message gets hard set. Haven't fixed it yet because potteryhouse and jeking had worked out a single attribute option that works just fine, so back to priorities... :) There are a number of other UI tweaks on the admin side also that I am sure you will come across since you are a previous user of SBA...

Could always apply that to ahhmm something else. :P

Aha, if I could afford it I probably wouldn't be giving myself (and you....) all this grief :D

To try and clarify it in my mind, it seems that the only way I can do this (at the moment maybe) is, as I think you are saying, that I create a variant for each product type (i.e. white size S, black size S, pink size S, etc., etc.) so that there is a specific stock quantity for each possible variant? This would result in a single drop down choice rather than a multiple drop down though .... I think

Mike

Mikeondraco:

Aha, if I could afford it I probably wouldn't be giving myself (and you....) all this grief :D

To try and clarify it in my mind, it seems that the only way I can do this (at the moment maybe) is, as I think you are saying, that I create a variant for each product type (i.e. white size S, black size S, pink size S, etc., etc.) so that there is a specific stock quantity for each possible variant? This would result in a single drop down choice rather than a multiple drop down though .... I think

Mike

Ahh yes, I see the confusion... Thinking "old school".

So let's get familiar with some terms...

Option names: the type of object to be selected, colour and size.
Option values: the values (number, text, whatever) that describes the option name: blue, green for colour, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. For size
Variant, the cobination of option values of each option name that uniquely identifies the product... This aspect is captured/controlled by SBA. The other two are inherent to ZC.
So, when creating the SBA variants, adjacent to each option name select the dropdown All-Attribute-Combo.. Every variant type will be populated with the quantity entered at the bottom (including 0 as that got fixed recently).

Then with DD for multiple attributes active and sba_sequenced_dropdown applied, that product will display multiple attributes for selection with the option names display according to their sort order. Upon making the first selection (two option names applied) view of the second option name option will display the quantity available or out-of-stock. Swith to another first selection and the second selection will be updated...

So, that should help wrap your mind around it a little more. :)

mc12345678:

Ahh yes, I see the confusion... Thinking "old school".

So let's get familiar with some terms...

Option names: the type of object to be selected, colour and size.
Option values: the values (number, text, whatever) that describes the option name: blue, green for colour, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. For size
Variant, the cobination of option values of each option name that uniquely identifies the product... This aspect is captured/controlled by SBA. The other two are inherent to ZC.
So, when creating the SBA variants, adjacent to each option name select the dropdown All-Attribute-Combo.. Every variant type will be populated with the quantity entered at the bottom (including 0 as that got fixed recently).

Then with DD for multiple attributes active and sba_sequenced_dropdown applied, that product will display multiple attributes for selection with the option names display according to their sort order. Upon making the first selection (two option names applied) view of the second option name option will display the quantity available or out-of-stock. Swith to another first selection and the second selection will be updated...

So, that should help wrap your mind around it a little more. :)

Ok, something to wrap my mind around tomorrow I think. Need, as you say, to approach it from a different angle.

BTW, defo old school here :wink:

Thanks again for your time, patience and answers - really appreciated.

Mike

Mikeondraco:

Ok, something to wrap my mind around tomorrow I think. Need, as you say, to approach it from a different angle.

BTW, defo old school here :wink:

Thanks again for your time, patience and answers - really appreciated.

Mike

No problem, you'll see just how easy it is once you try it/think about it.

In this forum related to SBA, old school is building attributes using way too much time and effort to type in an option value of each combination, so that it looked like this:

Shoe: colour1 and size1
Colour2 and size1
Colour1 and size2
Colour2 and size2

Etc....

Now, type in all the colors (ZC has some default entries if not mistaken)
Type in the sizes (can modify one of the default option names to accomplish)
The in sba admin, assign combinations of those manually (blah) or using the combo option (yeah potteryhouse and jeking for providing the option that got modified to allow greater than 6 option names, though if that many are needed might have issues... ) :)

Anyways, get some rest and think about it later.:)

mc12345678:

Ahh yes, I see the confusion... Thinking "old school".

So let's get familiar with some terms...

Option names: the type of object to be selected, colour and size.
Option values: the values (number, text, whatever) that describes the option name: blue, green for colour, 5, 6, 7, 8, etc. For size
Variant, the cobination of option values of each option name that uniquely identifies the product... This aspect is captured/controlled by SBA. The other two are inherent to ZC.
So, when creating the SBA variants, adjacent to each option name select the dropdown All-Attribute-Combo.. Every variant type will be populated with the quantity entered at the bottom (including 0 as that got fixed recently).

Then with DD for multiple attributes active and sba_sequenced_dropdown applied, that product will display multiple attributes for selection with the option names display according to their sort order. Upon making the first selection (two option names applied) view of the second option name option will display the quantity available or out-of-stock. Swith to another first selection and the second selection will be updated...

So, that should help wrap your mind around it a little more. :)

Ok, been playing with it tonight, but do not seem able to get the correct results.

The example is Colour: Pink and White, Size S & L. I have 1 each colour in S, but only white in L.

I added the two variants to the product checking the All-Attribute-Combo and quantity 1 for each Option Name. In the table presented I have four variants shown all with qty 1 as I entered. However, there is no way (that I can see) that I can input that I only have the L size available in White, I can either have qty 1 or 0 in the table against that value, which shows up in the catalogue as 1 each colour or out-of-stock in both ?
Attachment #15052

Mikeondraco:

Ok, been playing with it tonight, but do not seem able to get the correct results.

The example is Colour: Pink and White, Size S & L. I have 1 each colour in S, but only white in L.

I added the two variants to the product checking the All-Attribute-Combo and quantity 1 for each Option Name. In the table presented I have four variants shown all with qty 1 as I entered. However, there is no way (that I can see) that I can input that I only have the L size available in White, I can either have qty 1 or 0 in the table against that value, which shows up in the catalogue as 1 each colour or out-of-stock in both ?
Attachment #15052

Yup, incorrectly entered...

On the screen for entering new variants, should see something like:
Colour: (dropdown)
Size: (dropdown)

Both dropdowns need to be identified as All-Attribute-Combo at one time...

So would see:
Colour: All-Attribute-Combo
Size: All-Attribute-Combo

Then in quantity, enter the desired quantity (0 is a start so that nothing can be purchased of these).

The result on the screen you show should be similar to below where I have shown a single variant that has multiple attributes applied:

X | 5-50-52| colour: Pink (next line) Size: 12-13 | 0 | 0 | blank | blank | Edit Quantity | Delete Variant

You'll also need to delete those four variants... They are incorrect for the purpose of multiple attributes and will likely provide unusual results...

mc12345678:

Yup, incorrectly entered...

On the screen for entering new variants, should see something like:
Colour: (dropdown)
Size: (dropdown)

Both dropdowns need to be identified as All-Attribute-Combo at one time...

So would see:
Colour: All-Attribute-Combo
Size: All-Attribute-Combo

Then in quantity, enter the desired quantity (0 is a start so that nothing can be purchased of these).

The result on the screen you show should be similar to below where I have shown a single variant that has multiple attributes applied:

X | 5-50-52| colour: Pink (next line) Size: 12-13 | 0 | 0 | blank | blank | Edit Quantity | Delete Variant

You'll also need to delete those four variants... They are incorrect for the purpose of multiple attributes and will likely provide unusual results...

That's it ! - I need leading by the nose you see :blink:

Many thanks yet again ... Mike

P.S. - I may of course be back .....

Mikeondraco:

That's it ! - I need leading by the nose you see :blink:

Many thanks yet again ... Mike

P.S. - I may of course be back .....

BTW, as I said about the caveat situation. If indication of Large not being available in any other color is one where you just happen to be out-of-stock, then the out-of-stock notification will serve you properly... If Large is only ever fabricated in White, then the out-of-stock message (for now) will be misleading to customers... You will never have that type of product as it is not fabricated... Am working to resolve that, but again... Priorities.. :) Want to incorporate the presentation of single attributes into the multiple attribute side, then can continue on with making sure only the "proper" instock/out-of-stock items are displayed.

We'll have to make sure that the instructions provide such an example so that it is clear to the next person that isn't familiar with the way SBA was supposed to work... :)

There are some other issues to work out as well, I like to call it the gift-wrap attribute... Quantity of gift wrap is not tracked, but it is an attribute that can be chosen along all the other attributes... Will require a bit of rework/inclusion in the background, but one step at a time. Also there is the desire to be able to show information possibly with other variants of Dynamic Dropdowns... (radio buttons etc...) And I think there is still a text box issue, but again.... :) Priorities... :) Certainly more functionality in this than previous SBA variants.

mc12345678:

BTW, as I said about the caveat situation. If indication of Large not being available in any other color is one where you just happen to be out-of-stock, then the out-of-stock notification will serve you properly... If Large is only ever fabricated in White, then the out-of-stock message (for now) will be misleading to customers... You will never have that type of product as it is not fabricated... Am working to resolve that, but again... Priorities.. :) Want to incorporate the presentation of single attributes into the multiple attribute side, then can continue on with making sure only the "proper" instock/out-of-stock items are displayed.

We'll have to make sure that the instructions provide such an example so that it is clear to the next person that isn't familiar with the way SBA was supposed to work... :)

There are some other issues to work out as well, I like to call it the gift-wrap attribute... Quantity of gift wrap is not tracked, but it is an attribute that can be chosen along all the other attributes... Will require a bit of rework/inclusion in the background, but one step at a time. Also there is the desire to be able to show information possibly with other variants of Dynamic Dropdowns... (radio buttons etc...) And I think there is still a text box issue, but again.... :) Priorities... :) Certainly more functionality in this than previous SBA variants.

I appreciate what you mean about the out-of-stock notification being, in some case, misleading. At present that will not be a problem for us, as that situation is restricted to product types, not models.

I have no problem with being a guinea-pig for you re formulating the instructions - that would be a kinder description than the one you probably have in mind :smile:

Mike

Mikeondraco:

I appreciate what you mean about the out-of-stock notification being, in some case, misleading. At present that will not be a problem for us, as that situation is restricted to product types, not models.

I have no problem with being a guinea-pig for you re formulating the instructions - that would be a kinder description than the one you probably have in mind :smile:

Mike

I'm not yet sure how public the documentation is yet, but certainly would not be bad to get a cold read as it is more finalized I think. Potteryhouse and jeking I think thought they were done with the instructions until I was allowed to start adding additional features... :P Ideally the new information/options could be somewhat generalized so that the instructions could stand on their own, the forum could provide some assistance and the code can continue to be reworked without needing too much change in the instructions... :) (Pipe-dream? Dunno.. :) )

A work-around to the current "caveat" though somewhat less desirable is to only show product that is in stock (default Dynamic Dropdown functionality), but at least the option is there if it is business critical... The way the template file has been reworked also, it could be possible to custom code so that each product is displayed with its own version of the dynamic dropdown class and with whatever settings are desired for display of out-of-stock etc... Just have to be a little creative in incorporation... :) That's what coders are for... :P

I'm here if you want a proof-reader then. All noted re your other comments, once I get to grips with things as is I may start experimenting....

Mike :unsure:

I installed the SBA files and I quickly got a blank page for admin....
so I put my backup 'general.php' to overwrite the 'general.php' that comes with SBA
and my admin page came back...
but now..I can't get the installation script to work.......... to install the SBA stuff under Configuration | Stock..
what am I missing?
zencart 1.5.4
thanks.

lrfowler:

I installed the SBA files and I quickly got a blank page for admin....
so I put my backup 'general.php' to overwrite the 'general.php' that comes with SBA
and my admin page came back...
but now..I can't get the installation script to work.......... to install the SBA stuff under Configuration | Stock..
what am I missing?
zencart 1.5.4
thanks.

Try downloading from: https://github.com/potteryhouse/stock_by_attribute_1.5.4/tree/mc12345678_ZC154?

The main branch I think still has an error in it. I know at one point I was asked to merge the branches together, but then some more issues were found so the merge was delayed.

In my version of SBA; deleting a product from catalogue does NOT delete the records belonging to that product in the SBA table. Is there a preferred method of cleaning up / deleting product attribute from SBA table?