Best data migration approach?

[snugRugBug]

We are in the process of moving our data from a really ancient CMS to IPB 4. I'm trying to sort out my approach to our data migration. The general approach would be to write a script that first creates all of the relevant databases and fields within the new database. Then, I would need to pull data from the old database, process it so that it is in the correct shape/format for the new database, and insert it into the new database. The mapping and research that goes into this project is pretty huge, so any resources are precious. Here are a few approaches that am considering:

1. I was hoping there is already a script that can import data from another platform (ie WordPress). If that script exists, I could just modify it to pull data from my database instead of a WP database. I know there is such a script for the older versions of IPB, so I guess there is a possibility of it existing for IPB 4 in the near future?

2. If I can find a way to use the IPB 4 API without writing a plugin or application, I could use the existing functions to more easily insert data into the database. The ideal way would be to create a separate, standalone application on the server that I can develop and maintain independently from the IPB install. From this application I must be able to use the IPB 4 API to add content programmatically.

3. I could write a script from scratch that takes data from my database, processes it for the IPB database, and inserts it directly into the IPB database. This seems like the least desirable option, since there is a lot of complexity in the database.

Could you guys share some wisdom? Are any of my approaches good? What is, according to you, the best approach?

Thanks

[craigf136]

We are in the process of moving our data from a really ancient CMS to IPB 4. I'm trying to sort out my approach to our data migration. The general approach would be to write a script that first creates all of the relevant databases and fields within the new database. Then, I would need to pull data from the old database, process it so that it is in the correct shape/format for the new database, and insert it into the new database. The mapping and research that goes into this project is pretty huge, so any resources are precious. Here are a few approaches that am considering:

1. I was hoping there is already a script that can import data from another platform (ie WordPress). If that script exists, I could just modify it to pull data from my database instead of a WP database. I know there is such a script for the older versions of IPB, so I guess there is a possibility of it existing for IPB 4 in the near future?

2. If I can find a way to use the IPB 4 API without writing a plugin or application, I could use the existing functions to more easily insert data into the database. The ideal way would be to create a separate, standalone application on the server that I can develop and maintain independently from the IPB install. From this application I must be able to use the IPB 4 API to add content programmatically.

3. I could write a script from scratch that takes data from my database, processes it for the IPB database, and inserts it directly into the IPB database. This seems like the least desirable option, since there is a lot of complexity in the database.

Could you guys share some wisdom? Are any of my approaches good? What is, according to you, the best approach?

Thanks

​​https://www.invisionpower.com/convert?platform=wordpress

I would convert to 3.4.7 as the converters are tried and tested and most stable for the 3.4.7 version then upgrade the 3.4.7 install to 4.0RC3

I think you'll be able to achieve everything that you are trying to achieve with 4.0, using the entire suite to do what you need it to do, rather than have pages and wrapper content, you could use the suite to create custom pages to do what you need them to do.

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