phpBB2 Upgrading Tips

[web-designer]

Upgrading from previous versions of phpBB2

After your initial installation, you should have removed the "install" directory from your web server. To update, you'll need to add this directory back onto your webserver.
Update using Changed files
Copy your existing config.php file to a temporary directory.

Run install/update_to_latest.php

Updating using Patch File
To use this you will need command line access to a standard UNIX type patch application.

Copy your existing config.php file to a temporary directory.

A number of patch files are provided to allow you to upgrade from previous stable releases. Select the correct patch, e.g. if your current version is 2.0.16 you need the phpBB-2.0.16_to_2.0.17.patch. Place the correct patch in the parent directory containing the phpBB 2 core files (i.e. index.php, viewforum.php, etc.). With this done you should run the following command: patch -cl -d [PHPBB DIRECTORY] -p1 < [PATCH NAME] (where PHPBB DIRECTORY is the directory name your phpBB Installation resides in, for example /var/www/phpBB2, and where PATCH NAME is the relevant filename of the selected patch file). This should complete quickly, hopefully without any HUNK FAILED comments.

You should delete the patch file (or files) after use. As for the other upgrade procedures you should run install/update_to_latest.php after you have finished updating the files. This will update your database schema and data (if appropriate) and increment the version number.