Template updates / changes

[websavers]

Hi there,

 

I like to keep my Client Area templates up to date with the latest functionality / bug fixes provided with new versions of WHMCS. My template is based on the default template.

 

With every update of WHMCS, there used to be not just a list of templates that changed, but also a list of line numbers to tell us how to update our custom templates. Lately we haven't seen that: http://docs.whmcs.com/Version_5.2_Release_Notes

 

How do I know what parts need to be modified if you don't tell me? The best I can do is rather complex -- download a copy of the last version and the latest then run a diff. This is perhaps more complicated than most people here know how to do.

 

Even if we don't get the exact line numbers, a description of what functionality was added or what bugs have been fixed would be helpful.

 

Any suggestions as to the best way to proceed with this would be helpful.

 

Also: It might also be too much to ask for, but just about every software development project I know makes a point to only change strings and templates on major releases (unless it's a serious bug) -- any possibility we can get that with WHMCS? For example, I love the new release schedule of having more regular updates, but I don't like having to put in hours of work adjusting templates every month -- perhaps you could hold back updates that will cause template adjustments for a less regular release schedule.

 

-Jordan

Edited May 1, 2013 by jas8522

[openmind]

Why is it taking hours though? Here's what I do for example:

 

- Firstly I have my template in a unique folder prefixed by the template name so default_mytemplate to prevent it being overwritten, same for the order form template

- Update arrives and I copy over all the files from the update to my install overwriting everything

- I use Winmerge (Windows) to then compare the contents of the base temaplte (Default in this case) with my version Default_mytemplate and merge the changes.

 

Now for that last point if the file is identical I just copy it over otherwise I merge. I just upgraded from about four versions old to the latest release in about 20 minutes.