WordPress 5.1 “Betty” used to be formally launched on February 21, 2019, and is to be had for obtain.
WordPress 5.1 is the primary primary unencumber for the reason that release of the WordPress block editor (AKA Gutenberg) in WordPress 5.0. And whilst it does carry some tweaks and enhancements for the block editor, the most important new options on this unencumber contain the WordPress Website online Well being venture and notices for PHP variations.
On this publish, we’ll check out the entire new options that may have an effect on how you employ WordPress:
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- New dashboard notice for PHP version
- PHP version compatibility checks for plugins and themes
- White screen of death protection
- Improved block editor performance
- Changes for developers
New Dashboard Realize for PHP Model
Right here at Kinsta, we at all times counsel the use of the latest versions of PHP for progressed efficiency and safety.
From our benchmarks, PHP 7.3 is on moderate 9% sooner than PHP 7.2. And Should you evaluate PHP 7.3 to PHP 5.6, it will possibly maintain nearly 3x as many requests (transactions) in line with 2d! You will have to at all times check your plugins and topics first on a staging web page for compatibility. If all is just right, be sure to benefit from this unfastened efficiency spice up.
WordPress is now in the end getting on board with pushing the newest variations of PHP with some new equipment and notices to advertise PHP variations and compatibility.
First up, should you’re operating an old-fashioned model of PHP to your server with WordPress 5.1, you’ll see a brand new dashboard widget prompting you to improve your PHP model.
WordPress 5.1 PHP model dashboard steered
Should you host at Kinsta, there’s 0 probability you are going to see this message for the reason that minimal PHP model that we permit is PHP 5.6. At this time, the caution will simplest cause for PHP variations beneath that.
We want the WordPress group had long gone with a better model, however it is a step in the best route. Additionally, should you click on at the button to “Be told extra about updating PHP” within the understand, the official WordPress docs do counsel PHP 7.3. 
PHP Model Compatibility Exams for Plugins and Issues
Past the cushy steered within the WordPress dashboard, WordPress 5.1 additionally provides pressured PHP compatibility tests while you cross to put in a brand new plugin or theme. That is superior for builders!
For some time, WordPress plugins builders had been in a position to set a minimum PHP version required as a remark within the plugin header. Then again, up till now, this hasn’t carried out anything else however display what minimal PHP model the developer is prepared to improve.
In WordPress 5.1, should you attempt to set up a brand new plugin or theme from WordPress.org the place the developer has set a minimal PHP model upper than the model to your server, you’ll see a message telling you that “This plugin doesn’t paintings along with your model of PHP. Be told extra about updating PHP.”
Moreover, you are going to be averted from putting in the plugin. At the moment, you’ll be able to get round this by means of manually downloading the ZIP document from the repository and putting in a plugin that method. However truly – simply replace your PHP model!
The PHP compatibility take a look at for plugins
White Display screen of Demise Coverage
WordPress 5.1 used to be scheduled to introduce a brand new function known as “deadly error coverage” which might give protection to from the WordPress white screen of death whilst updating PHP.
Sadly, this option used to be been pulled from the WordPress 5.1 unencumber on the final minute. Then again, it’s for just right reason why.
make.wordpress.org
With this coverage, WordPress will acknowledge when a deadly error happens and pause the offending theme or plugin within the WordPress admin dashboard in order that you’ll nonetheless be capable to log into the backend of your web page and (confidently) repair the issue. For much less tech-savvy customers, this might be an ideal new function after they iron out the entire issues.
In case your web page stories problems whilst upgrading PHP variations, it’ll appear to be under at the front-end, however you will have to nonetheless be capable to log into the backend to mend the issue.
Deadly error coverage in WordPress 5.1
Stepped forward Block Editor Efficiency
For the reason that preliminary unencumber of the Gutenberg block editor in WordPress 5.0, the Gutenberg group has been exhausting at paintings bettering the block editor. Should you have in mind from our annual PHP benchmarks, we discovered that WordPress 5.0 and 5.02 had been in fact slower than WordPress 4.9.8. That’s no longer just right! Absolute best relaxation confident, the WordPress core group is operating in this.
There used to be a bit of of misunderstanding because the Gutenberg group launched Gutenberg 5.1 concurrently the core group launched WordPress 5.1.
In spite of the similar model numbers, WordPress 5.1 does no longer come with Gutenberg 5.1. As an alternative, WordPress 5.1 contains Gutenberg 4.8.
As such, the most important adjustments to the block editor in WordPress 5.1 take care of efficiency. In comparison to WordPress 5.0, you will have to see sooner load occasions within the editor and a shorter KeyPress match time.
There’s extra just right information, too. The block editor efficiency gets even higher as soon as the newest variations of Gutenberg are merged into the core – you’ll be able to see a performance comparison of various Gutenberg variations under (have in mind – WordPress 5.1 contains Gutenberg 4.8 – in order that’s the place we’re at at the moment).
Gutenberg efficiency benchmarks for various variations
Adjustments for Builders
Past the brand new user-facing options above, WordPress 5.1 additionally packs some new options for WordPress builders.
Multisite Metadata
WordPress 5.1 provides a brand new database desk to retailer metadata related to websites. Learn more.
Cron API
The Cron API now has new purposes to lend a hand with returning knowledge. You’ll additionally get new filters to change cron garage. Learn more.
New JavaScript Construct Processes
WordPress 5.1 provides a brand new JavaScript construct possibility. You’ll be told extra about the specific tweaks here.
The best way to Replace to WordPress 5.1
Since each buyer’s web page is other we at all times counsel using the one-click staging environment. You’ll clone your reside web page in an issue of seconds after which check WordPress 5.1 along with your current theme and plugins to test for compatibility. You’ll after all additionally take a manual backup prior to updating your reside web page, simply to be protected.
To replace WordPress to five.1 merely click on at the updates icon on your WordPress admin dashboard. And click on at the “Replace Now” button. Whilst your web page is being up to date, it’ll be in maintenance mode. Once your updates are whole, your web page will go back to commonplace.
The best way to replace to WordPress 5.1
So long as the whole thing is going neatly with the replace you will have to then see the “What’s New” display screen. And that’s it! Fast and simple.
The WordPress 5.1 welcome display screen
Troubleshoot Problems with WordPress Replace
On every occasion folks replace a significant model of WordPress, there are at all times some that have problems, and that’s because of the hundreds of various plugins and topics these days co-existing out there. Listed here are a couple of tactics to troubleshoot not unusual problems.
- Getting the white screen of death? That is recurrently resolved by means of merely restarting PHP and deleting the full page cache to your WordPress web page.
- Check out deactivating your entire plugins to peer if that fixes your factor. Then reactivate them separately till you in finding which plugin may want an replace from the developer.
- Check out switching over to a default WordPress theme, equivalent to Twenty Nineteen. If this fixes your drawback, you may need to achieve out for your theme developer.
- Troubleshoot and diagnose JavaScript issues on your browser.
Abstract
Whilst there aren’t any large front-facing options on this unencumber, WordPress 5.1 provides some nice options to push for more fit WordPress websites.
The point of interest on PHP variations will confidently push the huge share of WordPress customers operating out-of-date PHP variations to replace to newer variations, and the block editor efficiency enhancements are a lot welcomed.
What do you recall to mind WordPress 5.1? Does anything else catch your eye? The rest you want they’d’ve incorporated?
The publish What’s New in WordPress 5.1 (Moving PHP Forward) gave the impression first on Kinsta Managed WordPress Hosting.
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