The topic is as follows: we have a website on an intranet that was developed in Dotneknuke in version 5.0.0 and runs on IIS with framework 2.0. Currently it works ok.
What we need to do is add new modules for which I would like to update the version to the latest (if possible), download a copy locally, configure it to work with Visual Studio 2019 in a development environment, and upload it to a Git repository.
The site has passed through several hands. Previously, it seems that they made the modifications directly in production with Visual 2008, which I do not like at all, so I would like to configure it correctly in a development environment like any other project.
Currently when we tried to update it gave us several errors and we had to go back the code version and the DB.
My most specific question is: what is the correct way to work with this tool? Do you work directly in production?
Thanks in advance
good on you for taking on the challenge and I agree with much of the previous answers regarding the code base and visual studio. My answer is targeted mainly toward the upgrading process.
Make your life easier by forgetting about visual studio for now as this would only be useful if you are building custom modules or skins etc.
Leave the DNN code base and any installed core modules for the DNN developers to look after - the updated versions of the platform and modules come packaged in the update zip files.
Any store bought modules (not in the update package) should also have updates that are compatible with the DNN version that you are moving to. Log into the DNN store with the account used for original purchase to download the zip files.
My advice is to plan your upgrade path carefully as there are some critical way points in the code base versions like changes in language to C#, .NET dependencies etc. Perform each upgrade on a copy of production first.
Follow the suggested path https://dnndocs.com/content/getting-started/setup/upgrades/suggested-upgrade-path/index.html
If you need further help you can log a ticket at https://dnnweb.technology/help-desk and I would be happy to share my experiences free of charge.