OSCommerce order notifier Client Version 1
Introduction
OSCommerce order notifier client is used for notifying web orders instantly to the site administrators. This is a client-side application which can be integrated with any OsCommerce shopping sites . The application mainly concentrates on updating the client-side users about the orders posted on the server for every x seconds as specified by the user. Client side application is a DotNET application which requires dotNet platform to run on. It is designed in C#. The application needs a "php" script which retrieves the data required from the server's database to the client-side application. This php script is to be installed in the server in which the os-commerce site is.Features
Additional features are provided to facilitate connection monitoring, hot-updates etc. The main features are as follows:- Proxy connection is enabled for network users.
- Ports may vary according to the servers.
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Search for orders may be of two different types.
- From the date and time provided.
- From the previously displayed order.
- Time interval for checking new orders can be specified in the numeric up-down box.
- Hot updates for user if he wants to check for orders in the middle of the stipulated time interval.
- URL for the target webpage can be altered by the user.
- If the pop-up updates are not required, the user may block it by un-checking the checkbox provided.
- A Notifier icon is provided to check for orders even if the window is closed.
PHP Source
The application needs a "php" script which retrieves the data required from the server's database to the client-side application. This php script is to be installed in the server in which the os-commerce site is. Some features of PHP script to be integrated with the application are as follows:-
The script can be installed in any of the three folders of the os-commerce site folder.
- Includes folder.
- Catalog folder.
- Root folder.
- No need of reconfiguring the scripts with the database structure of the site. It will configure itself with the settings of the os-commerce scripts.
C Sharp Application
Client side application is a DotNET application which requires dotNet platform to run on. It is designed in C#. The application uses proxy connections with adaptable port settings to communicate with the world-wide-web. Timer functions are used to update the results in regular intervals. A colorful GUI is provided as shown below.Notifier icon is also used to update the required data without disturbing the user.
Text boxes are used to input text values such as target-url, port-address, server-address, etc.
CheckBox is the mode of input used to allow or hide the pop-up status displayer.
All the selected values are displayed in a box with the header "current-values".
Hot update button is for instant retrieval of data from the server.
Orders are displayed in a seperate order-listings page.
Any error or message for the user will be displayed through pop-up window.
The status display popup will disappear even if the user neglects to click the 'ok' button after a few seconds.
How to compile the source code?
All the required files are listed below:- MainForm.cs
- MessageBoxEx.cs
- AssemblyInfo.cs
- ComClient.Form1.resources
- oscc_ver1.MainForm.resources
- makeOS.bat
- verify if all the files listed are present in a single folder with write permissions. Follow these steps:
- Open command prompt.
- Change working directory to the folder where our files are present.
- find the folder inside WINDOWS/WINNT where the dotnet compiler is present.
- The compiler path will look some thing like "C:\Windows\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322" [assuming that your windows is installed in C DRIVE.]
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type the following and beware of file path:
path=%path%C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322;
where "C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v1.1.4322" need to be replaced with the actual DotNet compiler file path of your system. - Now type the batchfile-name "makeOS.bat" without quotes, in the same command-prompt window and press enter.
- Thats it, you have successfully compiled the files. A new executable file "oscClient.exe" will be created in the same folder.
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How to initialize the application?
For the extracted executable file to work, double click on the exe file.Now follow the following steps:
- Edit the proxy server settings or uncheck the checkbox if direct-connection is available.
- Update the url to "find.php" in the URL textbox at the bottom end of the application's window.
- Click on Update Settings button.
- click on either START PROCESS button or the HOT UPDATE button to initialize the process.
- Check/UnCheck checkboxes for pop-up intimation of status and Orders.
- Click on Close button to hide the GUI of the application but the application will run on the backend. A tray-icon will be displayed in the taskbar to indicate that the process is running.
- RightClick on the tray-icon to regain the GUI or close the application.
- Click on Exit to completely exit the application
Samples
GUI of the application's main window
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MessageBoxes |
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The system is idle, it need to be initialized.
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The system settings are updated.
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Either the network connection or the url specified is invalid.
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The system is currently connecting to the url with the network data provided.
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The Status of the system [running or connecting].
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The system has no new orders to display.
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Notify IconThe notify icon in the system's task bar from which the system checks for orders in the background without disturbing the user.
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Results display page
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PHP script's results are retrieved as shown below
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