How does one become a MIVA developer?

[Luke]

What is necessary to become a MIVA developer? By that I mean what software would be required? What type of programming knowledge is necessary? How much will it cost to get started?

Thanks in advance!

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

http://smallbusiness.miva.com/partners/ix_oldsys.mv?action=screen&xid=member

What skills would depend on what you intend on developing. A solid backgound in some programming language, HTML, XML,CGI, PHP, C, and/or MIVA Script would be a good background.

[aGorilla]

The best place to start, is probably here:

http://www.mivacentral.com/page/m/PROD/MIVA+SP+-x/MIVA-MMDL_5/ref/mvdc/linknote/miva_products_mmlsk

[ids]

Here's the first few things that popped off the top of my head:

1st thing you'll need, a good text editor. Maybe this should be first though, but lots of coffee. :-)

You'll need Mia, Miva's Mivascript web server that runs on your local Windows OS computer. And the compiler would be a good tool even if your not developing compiled scripts because it has some syntax checking.

If you want to create Miva Merchant modules, you'll need the Limited Source Kit. You'll need to pay for that.

You will need to understand server/folder structure for html/miva documents and data folders where the dbs are stored, unless you choose to develop for SQL compatible dbs (the data structure has a slight variance).

If you've programmed or have been trained in programming in C, C++, Pascal, Basic, then Mivascript can be picked up very easy. I would say that even if you are part time Javascript programmer, or even if you understand how to write a batch file in DOS. One of the most powerful topics/features of Mivascript is programming dbs -- creating, reading, writing, updating, indexing them. This is where some studying will help you through the learning curve.

Lastly, you'll need the scripting guides available at miva.com. You can get most of what you need. Miva is ........still......... working some of the docs.

HTH,
Scott

[Luke]

Well I have HTML, XML, PHP, and CGI background...

Is there are way to develop modules or mess with MIVA script before becoming a partner?

EDIT: Nevermind... I wrote this reply before I saw ids's reply... thank you!

[chucklasker]

Step 1: Go insane. ;)

I just want to point out that you do not have to be a MIVA partner to be a developer. If you're wanting to develop modules, you pretty much just need the following free software:

http://smallbusiness.miva.com/products/compiler/

I'm not sure if it's still true, but it used to be you could be a MivaCentral partner and sell your modules there without being a MIVA partner. There are benefits to being a MIVA partner, I've heard, but it's not required at all, and many developers are not.

[Luke]

What would I need to run MIVA locally (on an office server)?

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

On a PC? or actuall host a live store?

[ids]

"Use the Miva Force Luke!" :D Sorry...couldn't help it!

That's right. I am currently NOT a Miva Partner. I do sell modules at MivaCentral as well as my own site.

FWIW,

Scott

[ids]

What would I need to run MIVA locally (on an office server)?

You can run Empressa VM on your office server. All scripts would have to be compiled. That isn't a bad thing. When I develop scripts though, I tend to run them on my local machine using Miva Mia version 3.9x. (uncompiled) It's easy to install and set up - requiring Windows OS.

Regards,

Scott

[Luke]

On a PC? or actuall host a live store?On a Server, but not a live store... just to test scripts on before actually putting them on a live store.

Another question: what are some good resources to learn miva script... I've been searching the internet and have turned up kind of empty handed.

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

You would need to download MIVA Empresa Virtual Machine as well as purchase a store license.

If you plan on becoming a partner, you'll get licenses for all the things you need. If you do not, you're probably better off buying a hosting package from a host - or forking out the cash for a retail license for Merchant.

As for resources, these forums and the MIVA developer docs (http://smallbusiness.miva.com/support/docs/api/).

[ids]

On a Server, but not a live store... just to test scripts on before actually putting them on a live store.

Another question: what are some good resources to learn miva script... I've been searching the internet and have turned up kind of empty handed.

An additional issue here is, you'll need a full MM domain license to install MM on your office server as well as Empressa.

Do you have an account with a MM hosting service?

Scott

[aGorilla]

To run on a server:
http://smallbusiness.miva.com/products/empresa/

To run on your local machine:
http://smallbusiness.miva.com/products/mia/

Some decent code examples (after the first 2 pages of pure spam)
http://www.mvdevelopment.com/lib/index.mv?sec=&page_len=10&sort=date&search=&search_wordopts=&cat_id=&next=46

[DanLynn]

I was writing some small modules just by hand. (boy, what a pain). What does the limited resource kit offer?

[Bruce - PhosphorMedia]

We are working on a script robot...but its not due out until sometime in 2010...seriously, script writing is done by "hand" although many developers create "helper" tools to speed things along. Currently there are no commercially avaliable helper tools as the market is too small so, its up to each developer to build whats best for them.

One tool that is most importent is the editor used. again, everyone has their favorites: I use TextPad (because its what I've used for years) another developer i work with uses Boxer, a lot use UltraEdit. All three support the ability to obtain or create a set of "syntax" highlighting and syntax macros.

HTH

[bvoth]

You would need to download MIVA Empresa Virtual Machine as well as purchase a store license.

If you plan on becoming a partner, you'll get licenses for all the things you need. If you do not, you're probably better off buying a hosting package from a host - or forking out the cash for a retail license for Merchant.

As for resources, these forums and the MIVA developer docs (http://smallbusiness.miva.com/support/docs/api/).

Ok, I've done that (downloaded Empresa5, and Merchant5 -- and the MySQL connector). I've READ every document, READ all of the threads here and I still can't do a 'simple install' to get this running. The online documentation seems to be helping the folks "upgrading" more than the folks trying to set this up from scratch.

I have Windows Server 2000 and MySQL on Mac OSX. I have clients antsy to get their stores up before XMAS. We work with other web apps and systems. This shouldn't be so difficult... :D

Thanks

[DanLynn]

Sorry, this is going to be a bit vague because I installed it many months ago and then never had to again, so I'm really pulling at my memory here, but it was really simple. I think I just installed a web service extention in IIS and set in the properties of the site where to look for the engine and the site and mivadata. I couldn't find instructions either and I called Miva and they just sent them on over. I'd call up tech support about that.

Good luck.

[bvoth]

I couldn't find instructions either and I called Miva and they just sent them on over. I'd call up tech support about that.

Good luck.

I did call. Their response was to pay for them to install it...

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

You could always host with w MIVA Hosting Specialist, then you wouldnt have to deal with the backend.

Empresa takes a lot of babysitting on IIS. Runs much more efficient and smoother on Linux.

[bvoth]

You could always host with w MIVA Hosting Specialist, then you wouldnt have to deal with the backend.

Empresa takes a lot of babysitting on IIS. Runs much more efficient and smoother on Linux.

Now you tell me! We talked to the sales folks and decided to *become* a hosting site. We like to be able to control our servers and limit what goes on them for our clients. Like I said, we don't have this trouble with other web applications.

What about on Mac OSX?
Thanks!

[Vic - WolfPaw Computers]

What about OSX?

There is no version for Mac.

[RayYates]

When you are writing Merchant modules, you will discover that you must include all of the required function calls for the type of module in you are creating as documented here http://smallbusiness.miva.com/support/docs/api/ModFuncs-html2/MM_ModFunctions4x.html (http://smallbusiness.miva.com/support/docs/api/ModFuncs-html2/MM_ModFunctions4x.html) and elsewhere.

The docs however, leave out much important information: Most (but not all) functions must return a 1, some require undocumented Global variables, and the nature and format of require paramiters is nowhere to be found.

There are also many functions in the Admin program that are necessary but completely undocumented as far as I can tell.

You will quickly find that you MUST have the uncompiled source code for Merchant prior to 4.14 in order to see examples of working modules and to figure out how things must be formatted.

I think you will find very little discussion of that necessity from developers and no help from Miva on obtaining a copy of 4.13 or earlier.

It can be done, but be prepaire to post a lot of questions.

[talamar]

To run on a server:
http://smallbusiness.miva.com/products/empresa/

To run on your local machine:
http://smallbusiness.miva.com/products/mia/

Some decent code examples (after the first 2 pages of pure spam)
http://www.mvdevelopment.com/lib/index.mv?sec=&page_len=10&sort=date&search=&search_wordopts=&cat_id=&next=46
Your third link doesn't work anymore.