[FIXED] what is difference between settings_data.json and settings_schema.json in shopify

Issue

What is The difference between settings_data.json and settings_schema.json file in shopify, i can set theme settings by both, but i will use which one for when exactly? I am giving an example in below where is displayed Setting_schema.json file and Setting_data.json file both but i can understand both are creating same functionality in admin section. But What is the difference between then. Why shopify theme used two type settings json file?

/**Here is Setting_schema.json file :**/

[
  {
    "name": "theme_info",
    "theme_name": "Minimal",
    "theme_author": "Shopify",
    "theme_version": "1.0",
    "theme_documentation_url": "https:\/\/docs.shopify.com\/manual\/more\/official-shopify-themes\/minimal",
    "theme_support_url": "https:\/\/support.shopify.com\/"
  },
  {
    "name": "Layout",
    "settings": [
      {
        "type": "checkbox",
        "id": "enable_wide_layout",
        "label": "Enable wide layout"
      }
    ]
  },
  {
    "name": "Colors",
    "settings": [
      {
        "type": "header",
        "content": "Background"
      },
      {
        "type": "checkbox",
        "id": "theme_bg_image",
        "label": "Use theme background"
      },
      {
        "type": "image_picker",
        "id": "bg_custom",
        "label": "Custom image"
      },
      {
        "type": "radio",
        "id": "bg_image_display",
        "label": "Image display",
        "options": [
          {
            "value": "tile",
            "label": "Tile"
          },
          {
            "value": "stretch",
            "label": "Stretch"
          }
        ]
      },
      {

like this...

/**And Here is Schema_data.json code:**/

{
  "current": {
    "enable_wide_layout": false,
    "theme_bg_image": false,
    "bg_custom": "",
    "bg_image_display": "tile",
    "color_topbar_bg": "#eeeeee",
    "color_body_bg": "#ffffff",
    "color_footer_bg": "#eeeeee",
    "color_borders": "#dddddd",
    "color_primary": "#ab094b",
    "color_button_primary_text": "#ffffff",
    "color_secondary": "#767676",
    "color_button_secondary_text": "#ffffff",
    "color_topbar_text": "#a8003e",
    "color_header_text": "#595556",
    "color_body_text": "#5b5252",
    "color_footer_text": "#555555",
    "color_footer_social_link": "#555555",
    "type_base_family": "'HelveticaNeue', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif",
    "type_base_size": "16px",
    "type_header_family": "Google_PT+Serif_700_serif",
    "type_header_size": "36px",
    "type_accent_family": "Google_Lato_400_sans",
    "type_accent_size": "16px",
    "type_accent_transform": false,
    "type_accent_spacing": false,
    "favicon": "shopify:\/\/shop_images\/color_transparent_500px_81b18ab4-183c-480f-ba6a-529b0e9e665c.png",
    "social_twitter_link": "",
    "social_facebook_link": "",
    "social_pinterest_link": "",
    "social_google_plus_link": "",
    "social_instagram_link": "",
    "social_snapchat_link": "",
    "social_tumblr_link": "",
    "social_youtube_link": "",
    "social_vimeo_link": "",
    "social_fancy_link": "",
    "social_rss_link": "",
    "share_facebook": true,
    "share_twitter": true,
    "share_pinterest": true,
    "social_sharing_style": "normal",
    "checkout_header_image": "",
    "checkout_logo_image": "shopify:\/\/shop_images\/color_transparent_500px_e0d779f9-b33c-47b1-bb14-fb8fde7411d7.png",
    "checkout_logo_position": "left",
    "checkout_logo_size": "medium",
    "checkout_body_background_image": "",...........

like this as a example

I can see both outputting theme setting option in admin panel Then what is difference between those?

What is The difference between settings_data.json and settings_schema.json file in shopify, i can set theme settings by both, but i will use which one for when exactly? I am giving an example in below where is displayed Setting_schema.json file and Setting_data.json file both but i can understand both are creating same functionality in admin section. But What is the difference between then. Why shopify theme used two type settings json file?

Solution

The schema file is here for generating/creating/editing options for your theme which will be displayed in theme interface for user. It is the one you use to create options (setting all parameters such ID, type, label, etc...).

The data file is recording all option values. It's sort of database in JSON. It might be used to modify an option value or a theme preset directly in the theme without using user interface.

Schema manages keys and data stores values set by user.

Answered By - Alice Girard

Answer Checked By - Timothy Miller (PHPFixing Admin)