Deployment Guide for Link Datacenter

# Deployment Guide for Link Datacenter

This guide outlines the steps to deploy your PHP application to **Link Datacenter** hosting (business.linkdatacenter.net).

## Deployment Flowchart

```mermaid
graph TD
    A[Start] --> B(Prepare Application);
    B --> C{Hosting Panel Type};
    C -- cPanel --> D[Log in to cPanel];
    C -- Plesk --> E[Log in to Plesk];
    
    D --> F[Create MySQL Database];
    F --> G[Create Database User];
    G --> H[Link User to DB];
    H --> I[Import database.sql];
    
    E --> F;
    F --> G;
    G --> I;
    
    I --> J[Zip Project Files];
    J --> K[Upload via File Manager];
    K --> L[Extract Files to public_html];
    L --> M[Update config/db.php];
    M --> N[Test Website];
    N --> O[End];
```

## 1. Prepare Your Application

1.  **Locate your project files** in `c:\xampp\htdocs\mattress`.
2.  **Select all files** (folders `admin`, `assets`, `config`, etc., and files like `index.php`).
3.  **Right-click > Send to > Compressed (zipped) folder**. Name it `website.zip`.

## 2. Create MySQL Database

Link Datacenter typically uses **cPanel** or **Plesk**. Follow the steps for your specific panel.

### Option A: cPanel (Linux Hosting)

1.  Log in to your hosting account (e.g., `https://business.linkdatacenter.net/cpanel`).
2.  Go to **Databases** > **MySQL Database Wizard**.
3.  **Step 1: Create A Database**.
    *   Enter a name (e.g., `mattress_shop`).
    *   Click **Next Step**.
    *   *Note down the full database name (usually `prefix_mattress_shop`).*
4.  **Step 2: Create Database Users**.
    *   Username: Enter a username (e.g., `shopuser`).
    *   Password: Generate a strong password. **Copy this password somewhere safe.**
    *   Click **Create User**.
5.  **Step 3: Add User to Database**.
    *   Check **ALL PRIVILEGES**.
    *   Click **Make Changes**.

### Option B: Plesk (Windows Hosting)

1.  Log in to your Plesk panel.
2.  Go to **Databases** > **Add Database**.
3.  Fill in the details:
    *   **Database name**: `mattress_shop`.
    *   **Database server**: Default (usually localhost:3306).
    *   **Related site**: Select your domain.
    *   **Database user name**: `shopuser`.
    *   **Password**: Generate and save a strong password.
4.  Click **OK**.

## 3. Import Database Schema

1.  Open **phpMyAdmin** from your control panel (cPanel or Plesk).
2.  Select your newly created database from the left sidebar.
3.  Click the **Import** tab at the top.
4.  Click **Choose File** and select `c:\xampp\htdocs\mattress\database.sql` from your computer.
5.  Click **Go** at the bottom.
6.  *Success message will appear.*

**Database Schema Diagram:**

```mermaid
erDiagram
    users {
        int id PK
        string username
        string email
        string password
        enum role
        datetime created_at
    }
    products {
        int id PK
        string name
        text description
        decimal price
        int stock_quantity
        string image
        datetime created_at
    }
    orders {
        int id PK
        int user_id FK
        decimal total_amount
        enum status
        datetime created_at
    }
    order_items {
        int id PK
        int order_id FK
        int product_id FK
        int quantity
        decimal price
    }
    users ||--o{ orders : places
    orders ||--|{ order_items : contains
    products ||--o{ order_items : "included in"
```

## 4. Upload Files

1.  Go to **File Manager** in your control panel.
2.  Navigate to the `public_html` directory (or `httpdocs` in Plesk).
    *   *Delete any default "Coming Soon" or `index.html` files.*
3.  Click **Upload**.
4.  Select your `website.zip` file.
5.  Once uploaded, right-click `website.zip` and choose **Extract** (or **Decompress**).
6.  Ensure all files are in the root of `public_html` (not inside a subfolder like `website`). If they are in a subfolder, select all, move them to `public_html`, and delete the empty folder.

## 5. Connect App to Database

You need to edit `config/db.php` on the server to use the new database details.

1.  In **File Manager**, find `config/db.php`.
2.  Right-click and choose **Edit**.
3.  Update the variables with the info from **Step 2**:

```php

```

4.  Click **Save Changes**.

## 6. Final Verification

1.  Visit your domain (e.g., `www.yourbusiness.com`).
2.  Test the following:
    *   Homepage loads correctly.
    *   Click on a product.
    *   Try to add an item to the cart.
    *   Try to log in / register (if functionality exists).