Shop-Script’s future

Permanent extension of the functionality of WebAsyst Shop-Script was long ago understood as a dead end. The idea that this piece of software should rather become an easily extendable platform has been discussed during several past years by our team. A couple of months ago we finally realized the gravity of the situation and decided that this idea should be implemented already in the next release of Shop-Script.

We have collected and studied all available information about module-based software development and drawn up a source code refactoring plan.

Our main goal is to make Shop-Script a platform for creation of online stores.

A couple of words about what we are currently doing:

1. Creation of the module-based architecture that would allow installation of functional modules and plugins. This is the main part of work and it is what we are actually busy doing right now.

The problems we are facing are that plugins must remain operational after each software update and that they should be completely independent not to interfere with each other.

We decided to preserve the basic organization of modules, screens and interfaces currently used in WebAsyst Shop-Script and to reject the redundant tree-like structure.

2. Localization. The localization module is being modified to use gettext with compilation like in other new applications which are in development right now (Photos, Contacts, new Support application).

3. Design templates. We know how to make the design modification easier than it is now. We are planning to allow editing a larger number of templates than you can edit in the current version and make the editing tools more convenient.

4. Developer documentation. It is being created in parallel to the coding process and will be released together with the next update. The main idea is to make modification of our script a trivial task.

5. Performance. Preliminary tests already show reduction of load on server twice as high on frequently used screens. We believe that we will be able to increase the performance of the storefront and main screens of the administrator account by 3—4 times.

6. Redesign. Many core backend screens will be redesigned from scratch. For instance, the order and product management sections — they are the “heart” of an online store, and working with them should be a real pleasure.

Unlike transition from Shop-Script PRO/PREMIUM to WebAsyst Shop-Script, an update from the current version to the next release will be performed automatically by means of WebAsyst Installer. All user data as well as design changes will be preserved and correctly updated.

And now the bad news: we do not know yet when the new version is going to be released. Since we switched to a new pricing schedule last year (the purchase price of the script includes the cost of updates during a year with further updates to be purchased additionally) and suddenly decided to work on the next release during a long period of time, we hereby guarantee that owners of WebAsyst Shop-Script licenses will not be charged for getting this major update. We will offer it to all Shop-Script license owners free of charge.