Noob question...what does osCommerce do?

[iAddict]

Sorry for the stupid question, I don't really know web programming but have seen osCommerce around. I'm just wondering what it does. Does it create a database for your products or can you create a site through it... I am looking into learning a little so I just thought I would ask :)

P.S. I did search for it but I just got a little confused, I thought you guys would be able to explain it to me better.

[trigger_my_passion]

http://www.google.com/search?q=oscommerce

Click on the 1st result and then the first menu at the top left is "About Us". You put your mouse on it and see that the 2nd item is "About osCommerce". Click on it w/ your mouse and you go to

http://www.oscommerce.com/about/about

and then you read.

It's that simple.

[metal_dragen Veteran]

That's not a really good link - it's mostly just the marketing/executive summary type stuff there.

What osCommerce really is, is a package that provides an out-of-the-box e-commerce solution. It provides a storefront, with user accounts and checkout, as well as a powerful backend administration area that allows you to manage your products, customer accounts, shipping, payment gateways, and more.

[iAddict]

Alright, I have been trying to learn it a bit, I have two questions.

For osc do i need to have my own server or can i just work it off one computer?

I am also trying out this tutorial with osc,http://demodemo.com/tutorials_osc.html]Linky[/url], and in the first video on installing osc, they have me upload their folders using their ftp client. does anyone know wat client this is, and where i can get it?

Thanks

[metal_dragen Veteran]

You need to have some sort of web hosting setup; whether that's your own server, or just a regular hosting account doesn't matter.

The client they are using in the video is CuteFTP, but it's not free. For a good free FTP client, try FileZilla.