What's new in OpenCart 4.1.0.0

After more than a year of waiting, the new version OpenCart 4.1.0.0 has finally been released. This update introduces improvements and fixes that, according to the developers, make the platform more stable and user-friendly. Let’s review the key changes, updates, and functional enhancements of the system.

Added:

OCMOD. The main change is the return of the OCMOD modification system. You can now make changes to the code without editing the core files, significantly simplifying module integration and store customization.

Blog. A basic blogging system has been introduced, allowing you to create and publish content directly in your store. This opens up new opportunities for SEO and improves customer engagement. Note that OCStore has had blogs for quite some time.

French Localization. OpenCart now supports the French language, making the platform out-of-the-box ready for users from French-speaking countries.

Updated:

Order Editor. The order editing system has been updated and optimized for easier and more intuitive use.

Subscription System. Errors in subscription handling have been fixed, improving the stability and reliability of this feature.

Performance Improvements

• SQL queries have been optimized for better performance.
• Improved caching with APCu.

New Features and Fixes

• Added SSL support for MySQL connections.
• Updated CKEditor with additional settings.
• Introduced a new blog module for the homepage.

Compatibility with Modern PHP Versions

• Fixed compatibility issues with PHP 8.0 and higher.
• Resolved PostgreSQL issues on PHP 8.1+.
• Implemented modern PHP features, such as str_contains.

Cosmetic Improvements

• Improved code formatting.
• Removed unnecessary spaces, duplicate lines, and unused variables.

Developer Tools

• Added a development environment based on Docker-Compose.
• Updated AWS SDK and Twig libraries to the latest versions.

Admin Interface Enhancements

• Improved filters in product and category lists.
• Fixed issues with language switching in the admin panel.

PHP Requirements

Initially, OpenCart 4.1.0.0 was planned to be compatible with PHP 7.4+, but the developers decided to raise the minimum requirements to PHP 8.0+. This decision was made because most libraries gradually stop supporting PHP 7.4, thus ensuring better security and performance for the platform.

Overall, we still recommend using the proven version 3. It’s well-tested, has templates and modules, and runs like clockwork.