I have a question regarding data import into CATLookStore into a portal on DNN 5.0. I am building a store for a client. When I present the completed web site I will purchase CATLookStore Pro including the source code.

I have his current inventory of 450 items in an Excel ( XLS ) spreadsheet. This listing contains the name of the primary image file for each item as well as the other information regarding each product. These images are in the Portals/0/Inventory folder and are all registered in the DNN database FILES table along with the Inventory folders structure in the FOLDERS table. However, after the import of all of the inventory records into the CATLookStore data structures the images did not display as I expected they would.

After researching the CATLook data schema and reviewing the data in the CATLook tables, I determined that the correct values in the CAT_Products.ProductImage column is “FileID = nnnn”, where nnnn is the value of Files.FileID column in the DNN Files table that corresponds to the actual file in the portal file tree. Consequently, I updated the value of the Cat_Products.ProductImage column to the FileID of the appropriate image.

However, after this update the images where not displaying for the products even though all of the inventory I imported had existed in the CAT_Products table. I then proceeded to the CATLookStore edit form for an individual product. The proper folder is displayed in the File Location: dropdown box as is the proper file name in the File Name: drop down box. However the image is not displayed. When I click the Update link at the bottom of the form, the image is then displayed when the page refreshes.

Try as I may, I have not been able to determine what change in the database has been made that enables the image to display. . As I do not have access to the source code at this time, I have not been able to trace through the actions that take place during the update process.

I am very familiar with SQL databases. I have been designing, programming, deploying and maintaining SQL databases professionally since 1979. In this capacity I have performed many data conversions and imports into SQL databases from legacy systems. Additionally, I have been programming with C, C++, C# and Java on Unix and MS Windows during the same period of time. There for I don’t believe that I will be intimidated by high level directions that you may provide me.

Sirs, any and all assistance that you can provide me in resolving my issue is greatly and sincerely appreciated.

Best regards,
Harry Cowles

Harry@DFAUnlimited.com