A glossary for contributors

As part of the coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. contributor handbook, there’s going to be a glossary. Here’s what I’ve put together so far.

Something missing? Leave a comment. Feel free to also weigh in on new and existing definitions, examples, and the like.

a11yAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility): AccessibilityAccessibility Accessibility (commonly shortened to a11y) refers to the design of products, devices, services, or environments for people with disabilities. The concept of accessible design ensures both “direct access” (i.e. unassisted) and “indirect access” meaning compatibility with a person’s assistive technology (for example, computer screen readers). (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Accessibility), or the act of ensuring that user interfaces are accessible for persons of all abilities and disabilities.

back compatback compat Backward compatibility - a desire to ensure that plugins and themes do not break under new releases - is a driving philosophy of WordPress. While it is a commonly accepted software development practice to break compatibility in major releases, WordPress strives to avoid this at all costs. Any backward incompatible change is carefully considered by the entire core development team and announced, with affected plugins often contacted. It should be noted that external libraries, such as jQuery, do have backward incompatible changes between major releases, which is often going to be a greater concern for developers.: Backwards compatibility — a desire to ensure that plugins and themes do not break under new releases — is a driving philosophy of WordPress. While it is a commonly accepted software development practice to break compatibility in major releases, WordPress strives to avoid this at all costs. Any backwards incompatible change is carefully considered by the entire core development team and announced, with affected plugins often contacted. It should be noted that external libraries such as jQuery do have backwards incompatible changes between major releases, which is often going to be a greater concern for developers.

backportbackport A port is when code from one branch (or trunk) is merged into another branch or trunk. Some changes in WordPress point releases are the result of backporting code from trunk to the release branch.: A port is when code from one branchbranch A directory in Subversion. WordPress uses branches to store the latest development code for each major release (3.9, 4.0, etc.). Branches are then updated with code for any minor releases of that branch. Sometimes, a major version of WordPress and its minor versions are collectively referred to as a "branch", such as "the 4.0 branch". (or trunktrunk A directory in Subversion containing the latest development code in preparation for the next major release cycle. If you are running "trunk", then you are on the latest revision.) is merged into another branch or trunk. Some changes in WordPress point releases are the result of backporting code from trunk to the release branch.

bleeding edgebleeding edge The latest revision of the software, generally in development and often unstable. Also known as trunk.: The latest revision of the software, generally in development and often unstable. Also known as trunk.

blockerblocker A bug which is so severe that it blocks a release.:Â A bugbug A bug is an error or unexpected result. Performance improvements, code optimization, and are considered enhancements, not defects. After feature freeze, only bugs are dealt with, with regressions (adverse changes from the previous version) being the highest priority. which is so severe that it blocks a release.

branch: A directory in Subversion. WordPress uses branches to store the latest development code for each major releasemajor release A release, identified by the first two numbers (3.6), which is the focus of a full release cycle and feature development. WordPress uses decimaling count for major release versions, so 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, and 3.1 are sequential and comparable in scope. (2.8, 2.9, etc.). Branches are then updated with code for any minor releases of that branch. Sometimes, a major version of WordPress and its minor versions is collectively referred to as a “branch,” such as “the 2.9 branch.”

commit (noun):Â An individual change to WordPress, identified by an incremental revision number. Also called a changeset.

commit (verb): To make a change to WordPress. Only committers can commit code, but often the code is contributed by developers without commit access.

committercommitter A developer with commit access. WordPress has five lead developers and four permanent core developers with commit access. Additionally, the project usually has a few guest or component committers - a developer receiving commit access, generally for a single release cycle (sometimes renewed) and/or for a specific component.: A developer with commit access. WordPress has five lead developers and two permanent core developers with commit access. Additionally, there are two developers with commit access for a specific component, and the project sometimes has one or more guest committers — a developer receiving commit access, generally for a single release cycle and for a specific component.

conflictconflict A conflict occurs when a patch changes code that was modified after the patch was created. These patches are considered stale, and will require a refresh of the changes before it can be applied, or the conflicts will need to be resolved.: A conflict occurs when a patchpatch A special text file that describes changes to code, by identifying the files and lines which are added, removed, and altered. It may also be referred to as a diff. A patch can be applied to a codebase for testing. changes code that was modified after the patch was created. These patches are considered stale and will require a refresh of the changes before it can be applied, or the conflicts will need to be resolved.

CSSCSS Cascading Style Sheets.: Cascading Style Sheets.

dogfooddogfood The practice of using one's own software, typically bleeding edge (trunk), thus "eating one's own dogfood". This also applies to using one's own APIs internally.: The practice of using one’s own software, typically bleeding edge (trunk), thus “eating one’s own dogfood.”

i18ni18n Internationalization, or the act of writing and preparing code to be fully translatable into other languages. Also see localization. Often written with a lowercase i so it is not confused with a lowercase L or the numeral 1. Often an acquired skill.: Internationalization, or the act of writing and preparing code to be fully translatable into other languages. See also localization. Often written with a lowercase i so it is not confused with a lowercase L or the numeral 1. Often an acquired skill. 🙂

invalidinvalid A resolution on the bug tracker (and generally common in software development, sometimes also notabug) that indicates the ticket is not a bug, is a support request, or is generally invalid.: A resolution on the bug tracker (and generally common in software development, sometimes also notabug) that indicates the ticketticket Created for both bug reports and feature development on the bug tracker. is not a bug, is a support request, or is generally invalid.

IRCIRC Internet Relay Chat, a network where users can have conversations online. IRC channels are used widely by open source projects, and by WordPress. The primary WordPress channels are #wordpress and #wordpress-dev, on irc.freenode.net.: Internet Relay Chat, a networknetwork (versus site, blog) where users can have conversations online. IRC channels are used widely by open sourceOpen Source Open Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. projects and by WordPress. The primary WordPress channels are #wordpress and #wordpress-dev, on irc.freenode.net.

JSJS JavaScript, a web scripting language typically executed in the browser. Often used for advanced user interfaces and behaviors.: JavaScriptJavaScript JavaScript or JS is an object-oriented computer programming language commonly used to create interactive effects within web browsers. WordPress makes extensive use of JS for a better user experience. While PHP is executed on the server, JS executes within a user’s browser. https://www.javascript.com/., a web scripting language typically executed in the browser. Often used for advanced user interfaces and behaviors.

L10nL10n Localization, or the act of translating code into one's own language. Also see internationalization. Often written with an uppercase L so it is not confused with the capital letter i or the numeral 1. WordPress has a capable and dynamic group of polyglots who take WordPress to more than 70 different locales.: Localization, or the act of translating code into ones own language. See also internationalization. Often written with an uppercase L so it is not confused with the capital letter i or the numeral 1. WordPress has a capable and dynamic group of polyglots who take WordPress to more than 70 different locales.

major release: A release, identified by the first two numbers (3.2), which is the focus of a full release cycle and feature development. WordPress uses decimaling count for major release versions, so 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, and 3.1 are sequential and comparable in scope.

make/code: The development updates P2P2 A free theme for WordPress, known for front-end posting, used by WordPress for development updates and project management. See our main development blog and other workgroup blogs. blogblog (versus network, site) at make.wordpress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org//code. Formerly wpdevelwpdevel Formerly the development updates P2 blog at wpdevel.wordpress.com. It is now make/core and resides at make.wordpress.org/core.. [todo]

make/ui: The UIUI User interface working group P2 blog at make.wordpress.org/ui.

P2:Â A free theme for WordPress, known for front-end posting, used by WordPress for development updates and project management. See our main development blog and the other workgroup blogs.

patch: A special text file that describes changes to code, by identifying the files and lines which are added, removed, and altered. It may also be referred to as a diff. A patch can be applied to a codebase for testing.

PHPPHP The web scripting language in which WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 5.6.20 or higher: The web scripting language in which WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 5.2.4.

point releaseMinor Release A set of releases or versions having the same minor version number may be collectively referred to as .x , for example version 5.2.x to refer to versions 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.3, and all other versions in the 5.2 (five dot two) branch of that software. Minor Releases often make improvements to existing features and functionality.: A minor releaseMinor Release A set of releases or versions having the same minor version number may be collectively referred to as .x , for example version 5.2.x to refer to versions 5.2, 5.2.1, 5.2.3, and all other versions in the 5.2 (five dot two) branch of that software. Minor Releases often make improvements to existing features and functionality. of WordPress, identified by the third number (the 2 in 3.1.2). These releases are for maintenance and security fixes only. Feature development is limited to major releases. Changes to point releases are carefully considered and are only critical or blocker-level bugs and security enhancements, hardening, and fixes are accepted.

priority: The seriousness of a bug report or ticket in the eyes of the project. Generally, severityseverity The seriousness of the ticket in the eyes of the reporter. Generally, severity is a judgment of how bad a bug is, while priority is its relationship to other bugs. is a judgment of how bad a bug is, while priority is its relationship to other bugs.

regressionregression A software bug that breaks or degrades something that previously worked. Regressions are often treated as critical bugs or blockers. Recent regressions may be given higher priorities. A "3.6 regression" would be a bug in 3.6 that worked as intended in 3.5.: A software bug that breaks or degrades something that previously worked. Regressions are often treated as critical bugs or blockers. Recent regressions may be given higher priorities. A “3.1 regression” would be a bug in 3.1 that worked as intended in 3.0.

severity: The seriousness of the ticket in the eyes of the reporter. Generally, severity is a judgment of how bad a bug is, while priority is its relationship to other bugs.

SVNSVN Subversion, the popular version control system (VCS) by the Apache project, used by WordPress to manage changes to its codebase.:Â Subversion, the popular version controlversion control A version control system keeps track of the source code and revisions to the source code. WordPress uses Subversion (SVN) for version control, with Git mirrors for most repositories. system (VCS) by the ApacheApache Apache is the most widely used web server software. Developed and maintained by Apache Software Foundation. Apache is an Open Source software available for free. project, used by WordPress to manage changes to its codebase.

tagtag A directory in Subversion. WordPress uses tags to store a single snapshot of a version (3.6, 3.6.1, etc.), the common convention of tags in version control systems. (Not to be confused with post tags.): A directory in Subversion. WordPress uses tags to store a single snapshot of a version (2.8, 2.8.1, etc.), the common convention of tags in version control systems.

ticket: Created for both bug reports and feature development on the bug tracker.

TracTrac An open source project by Edgewall Software that serves as a bug tracker and project management tool for WordPress.:Â An open source project by Edgewall Software that serves as a bug tracker and project management tool for WordPress.

triagetriage The act of evaluating and sorting bug reports, in order to decide priority, severity, and other factors.: The act of evaluating and sorting bug reports, in order to decide priority, severity, and other factors.

trunk: A directory in Subversion containing the latest development code in preparation for the next major release cycle. If you are running “trunk,” then you are on the latest revision.

UI: User interface

UXUX User experience: User experience

wontfixwontfix A resolution on the bug tracker (and generally common in software development) that indicates the ticket will not be addressed further. This may be used for acceptable edge cases (for bugs), or enhancements that have been rejected for core inclusion.: A resolution on the bug tracker (and generally common in software development) that indicates the ticket will not be addressed further. This may be used for acceptable edge cases (for bugs) or enhancements that have been rejected for core inclusion.

worksformeworksforme A resolution on the bug tracker (and generally common in software development) that indicates the bug reported cannot be reproduced.: A resolution on the bug tracker (and generally common in software development) that indicates the bug reported cannot be reproduced.

wpdevel: Formerly the development updates P2 blog at wpdevel.wordpress.comWordPress.com An online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/. It is now ‘make/code’ and resides at make.wordpress.org/code. [todo]

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