Pre-Release Notes

Note: This step only apples to pre-release version updates, which are done at the time of initiation of a new release.

If you are doing official release, please skip this step and go to the next step.

Git Work

The master branch is now the current release. If a patch is being done from a release in the past, create a branch for that patch.

Versioning files

Before doing the version updates, create a new branch specifically for these changes.

Here’s what should be in these files for version 2.2.0 build:

# File Version
1 includes/version.php alpha: define('PROJECT_VERSION_MINOR', '2.3-alpha1');
final: define('PROJECT_VERSION_MINOR', '2.3');
2 zc_install/includes/version.php alpha: define('PROJECT_VERSION_MINOR', '2.3-alpha1');
final: define('PROJECT_VERSION_MINOR', '2.3');
alpha and final: define('EXPECTED_DATABASE_VERSION_MINOR', '2.0');
DB version ends in zero always; doesn’t change because of a patch release.
3 zc_install/sql/install/mysql_zencart.sql Variables now specify database and project version major and minor numbers.
For database, do not specify patch version! CHECK CAREFULLY - look at all variables.
This new system was introduced in 2.2.1; in older releases, the version information was repeated.
4 zc_install/sql/updates/mysql_upgrade_zencart_220.sql See above.
5 zc_install/includes/systemChecks.yml Top checkDBVersion* block should look for version: '2.2.0'
6 zc_install/includes/version_upgrades.php '2.2.0'=>array('required'=>'2.1.0'),

Shortcut for editing these 6 files:

vi includes/version.php zc_install/includes/version.php zc_install/sql/install/mysql_zencart.sql zc_install/sql/updates/mysql_upgrade_zencart_220.sql zc_install/includes/systemChecks.yml zc_install/includes/version_upgrades.php

Note that in most cases, includes/version.php and zc_install/includes/version.php will be identical.

PHP Compatibility

If the new version has different PHP compatibility ranges than the prior one, be sure to update:



Still have questions? Use the Search box in the upper right, or try the full list of FAQs. If you can't find it there, head over to the Zen Cart support forum and ask there in the appropriate subforum. In your post, please include your Zen Cart and PHP versions, and a link to your site.

Is there an error or omission on this page? Please post to General Questions on the support forum. Or, if you'd like to open a pull request, just review the guidelines and get started. You can even PR right here.
Last modified November 8, 2025 by Scott Wilson (38662c11).