Title: WordPress 5.1 Field Guide
Author: Jeffrey Paul
Published: February 8, 2019
Last modified: February 14, 2019

---

 [  ](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/) [Jeffrey Paul](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/)
1:29 am _on_ February 8, 2019     
Tags: [5.1 ( 24 )](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-1/),
[field guide ( 35 )](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/field-guide/)   

# WordPress 5.1 Field Guide

WordPress 5.1 is officially the best WordPress 2019 has seen yet! Users will see
blockBlock Block is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed
together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. The
idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes, custom
HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience. editor
improvements while developers will see PHPPHP The web scripting language in which
WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 7.4 or higher version
upgrade notices and will be able to take advantage of [165](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=enhancement&type=feature+request&milestone=5.1&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=status&col=milestone&col=owner&col=priority&order=priority)
enhancements and features added.  Let’s look at the many improvements coming in 
5.1…

## Site Health 💻🏥

WordPress 5.1 includes portions of the [Servehappy](https://make.wordpress.org/core/features/servehappy/)
and [Site Health](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/11/site-health-check-project-review-at-wcus/)
projects. Notices will start being displayed to administrators of sites that run
on long outdated PHP versions. WordPress will also start honoring pluginPlugin A
plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added 
to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your
WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language
and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org 
Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/)
or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. PHP version requirements.

> [PHP Site Health Mechanisms in 5.1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/14/php-site-health-mechanisms-in-5-1/)

## Block Editor Goodies 🧱🏗️

The block editor continued its rapid iteration since WordPress 5.0 and now has version
4.8 of the GutenbergGutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface 
for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content,
making writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather
than shortcodes, custom HTML etc. [https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/)
plugin bundled with WordPress 5.1. Most significantly, this includes performance
improvements within the editor, a [Getting Started with JavaScript](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/pull/12689)
tutorial, improvements to the design guidelines to build blocks, and high-quality
README files for the UIUI User interface components.

> [What’s New in Gutenberg? (7th January)](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/07/whats-new-in-gutenberg-2/)

## Multisitemultisite Used to describe a WordPress installation with a network of multiple blogs, grouped by sites. This installation type has shared users tables, and creates separate database tables for each blog (wp_posts becomes wp_0_posts). See also **network**, **blog**, **site** Metadata 🏘️🗂️

5.1 brings with it a new database table to store metadata associated with sites,
which allows for the storage of arbitrary site data relevant in a multisite / networknetwork(
versus site, blog) context.

> [Multisite Support for Site Metadata in 5.1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/28/multisite-support-for-site-metadata-in-5-1/)

## Cron APIAPI An API or Application Programming Interface is a software intermediary that allows programs to interact with each other and share data in limited, clearly defined ways. 🔁🔂

WordPress 5.1 includes a change in behavior for cron spawning on servers running
FastCGI and PHP versions 7.0.16 and above. It also includes a change to the Cron
API that updates the return values for functions used to modify scheduled tasks,
it includes two new functions to assist with returning data (one to retrieve cron
jobs ready to be run and another to retrieve a scheduled event), and it includes
new filters for modifying cron storage.

> [Cron Improvements with PHP-FPM in WordPress 5.1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/09/cron-improvements-with-php-fpm-in-wordpress-5-1/)

> [Cron API changes in WordPress 5.1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/23/cron-api-changes-in-wordpress-5-1/)

## New JSJS JavaScript, a web scripting language typically executed in the browser. Often used for advanced user interfaces and behaviors. Build Process 🇯🇸🏭

The 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](https://www.javascript.com/)
code reorganization has been in `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. since April 2018 and
the new JavaScript build process will ship with WordPress 5.1.

> [Preparing WordPress for a JavaScript Future Part #1: Build Step and Folder Reorganization](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/05/16/preparing-wordpress-for-a-javascript-future-part-1-build-step-and-folder-reorganization/)

> [Build tools: We’ve enabled running WordPress from /src again](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2018/12/24/build-tools-weve-enabled-running-wordpress-from-src-again/)

## Updated Styles and Strings 🔗🧵

Read below to learn about how the adminadmin (and super admin) table pagination 
links have had their CSSCSS Cascading Style Sheets. styling modified to improve 
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)
and how LocaleLocale A locale is a combination of language and regional dialect.
Usually locales correspond to countries, as is the case with Portuguese (Portugal)
and Portuguese (Brazil). Other examples of locales include Canadian English and 
U.S. English. Managers with commit access on the `/dist` repository will need to
manually translate and deployDeploy Launching code from a local development environment
to the production web server, so that it's available to visitors. changes to files
that cannot use `gettext`.

> [New Styling for Admin Table Pagination Links in WordPress 5.1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/14/new-styling-for-admin-table-pagination-links-in-wordpress-5-1/)

> [WordPress 5.1 String Changes in HTML/PHP Files](https://make.wordpress.org/polyglots/2019/01/23/wordpress-5-1-string-changes-in-html-php-files/)

## Other Developer ❤️

There are even more goodies in 5.1 like updates to values allowed for the `WP_DEBUG_LOG`
constant, new test config file constant in the test suite, new plugin action hooksHooks
In WordPress theme and development, hooks are functions that can be applied to an
action or a Filter in WordPress. Actions are functions performed when a certain 
event occurs in WordPress. Filters allow you to modify certain functions. Arguments
used to hook both filters and actions look the same., short circuit filters for `
wp_unique_post_slug()` and `WP_User_Query` and `count_users()`, a new `human_readable_duration`
function, improved taxonomyTaxonomy A taxonomy is a way to group things together.
In WordPress, some common taxonomies are category, link, tag, or post format. [https://codex.wordpress.org/Taxonomies#Default_Taxonomies](https://codex.wordpress.org/Taxonomies#Default_Taxonomies).
metaboxMetabox A post metabox is a draggable box shown on the post editing screen.
Its purpose is to allow the user to select or enter information in addition to the
main post content. This information should be related to the post in some way. sanitization,
limited `LIKE` support for metaMeta Meta is a term that refers to the inside workings
of a group. For us, this is the team that works on internal WordPress sites like
WordCamp Central and Make WordPress. keys when using `WP_Meta_Query`, a new “doing
it wrong” notice when registering REST APIREST API The REST API is an acronym for
the RESTful Application Program Interface (API) that uses HTTP requests to GET, 
PUT, POST and DELETE data. It is how the front end of an application (think “phone
app” or “website”) can communicate with the data store (think “database” or “file
system”) [https://developer.wordpress.org/rest-api/](https://developer.wordpress.org/rest-api/)
endpoints, and more!

> [Miscellaneous Developer Focused Changes in 5.1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/23/miscellaneous-developer-focused-changes-in-5-1/)

> [New function: human_readable_duration](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/15/new-function-human_readable_duration/)

> [New User Related Short Circuit Filters](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/18/new-user-related-short-circuit-filters/)

> [Improved taxonomy metabox sanitization in 5.1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/23/improved-taxonomy-metabox-sanitization-in-5-1/)

> [LIKE support for meta keys in 5.1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/23/like-support-for-meta-keys-in-5-1/)

> [New REST API Notice in 5.1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/2019/01/11/new-rest-api-notice-in-5-1/)

There are also a few additional changes that will receive a [dev note](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/dev-notes+5-1/)
shortly:

 * Object Caching can now degrade gracefully ([#22661](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/22661))
 * New parameter for the `wp_check_filetype_and_ext` filterFilter Filters are one
   of the two types of Hooks [https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks](https://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Hooks).
   They provide a way for functions to modify data of other functions. They are 
   the counterpart to Actions. Unlike Actions, filters are meant to work in an isolated
   manner, and should never have side effects such as affecting global variables
   and output. ([#45707](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45707))
 * New filter for filtering and overriding block attributes ([#45451](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45451))

### But Wait, There is More!

Over [303](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=defect+(bug)&milestone=5.1&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority)
bugs, [156](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=enhancement&milestone=5.1&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=owner&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority)
enhancements, [9](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=feature+request&milestone=5.1&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=owner&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority)
feature requests, and [23](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&type=task+(blessed)&milestone=5.1&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=type&col=owner&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority)
blessed tasks have been [marked as fixed in WordPress 5.1](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/query?status=closed&milestone=5.1&group=component&col=id&col=summary&col=owner&col=type&col=priority&col=component&col=version&order=priority).
Some additional ones to highlight include:

 * Bootstrap/Load: WSODs protection returns incorrect content type for JSONJSON 
   JSON, or JavaScript Object Notation, is a minimal, readable format for structuring
   data. It is used primarily to transmit data between a server and web application,
   as an alternative to XML. Requests ([#45933](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45933))
 * Cache API: Allow object caches to degrade gracefully ([#22661](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/22661))
 * Customize: Improve browser compatibility of `X-Frame-Options` and `Content-Security-
   Policy` headers for window in preview iframeiframe iFrame is an acronym for an
   inline frame. An iFrame is used inside a webpage to load another HTML document
   and render it. This HTML document may also contain JavaScript and/or CSS which
   is loaded at the time when iframe tag is parsed by the user’s browser. ([#40020](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/40020))
 * Customize: Use iframe `sandbox` attribute to restrict browsing in CustomizerCustomizer
   Tool built into WordPress core that hooks into most modern themes. You can use
   it to preview and modify many of your site’s appearance settings. preview instead
   of attempting to rely on JS to intercept top navigation ([#42341](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/42341))
 * Customize: Fix counting of sections for widgetWidget A WordPress Widget is a 
   small block that performs a specific function. You can add these widgets in sidebars
   also known as widget-ready areas on your web page. WordPress widgets were originally
   created to provide a simple and easy-to-use way of giving design and structure
   control of the WordPress theme to the user. sidebars, allowing non-sidebarSidebar
   A sidebar in WordPress is referred to a widget-ready area used by WordPress themes
   to display information that is not a part of the main content. It is not always
   a vertical column on the side. It can be a horizontal rectangle below or above
   the content area, footer, header, or any where in the theme. sections to not 
   interfere ([#43556](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/43556))
 * Customize: Prevent `wp_targeted_link_rel()` from corrupting Customizer changeset
   data ([#45292](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45292))
 * Media: Parse the creation date out of uploaded audio files ([#42017](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/42017))
 * Media: No placeholder for ico file in list view of Media Library ([#43458](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/43458))
 * Media: `media_handle_sideload()` may unexpectedly return 0 on error ([#44303](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/44303))
 * Menus: Improve headings and instructions for better accessibility ([#43397](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/43397))
 * Menus: Show an appropriate message when no menus exist ([#45155](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45155))
 * Networks and Sites: Improve site creation in multisite ([#40364](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/40364))
 * Networks and Sites: Introduce `ms-site.php` and `ms-network.php` files ([#40647](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/40647))
 * Networks and Sites: Implement `wp_initialize_site()` and `wp_uninitialize_site()`(
   [#41333](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/41333))
 * Plugins: Disable “Install Plugin” button for PHP required version mismatch ([#43986](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/43986))
 * Privacy: Show the comment / awaiting moderation message even without opt-in (
   [#43857](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/43857))
 * Query: `post__in` orderby not working when passed in an array to orderby ([#38034](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/38034))
 * REST API: Allow to filter the query in the search controller ([#45454](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/45454))
 * Taxonomy: Add `un|registered_taxonomy_for_object_type` action ([#44733](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/44733))
 * Users: New filter to short circuit `WP_User_Query` results ([#44169](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/44169))
 * Widgets: Make the Widgets screen “Enable accessibility mode” link more discoverable(
   [#42778](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/42778))
 * Widgets: Fix Gallery Widget preview after an image is deleted ([#43139](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/43139))
 * Widgets: Fix custom HTMLHTML HyperText Markup Language. The semantic scripting
   language primarily used for outputting content in web browsers. widget editor
   content not updating after save ([#43657](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/43657))

Please, test your code. Fixing issues helps you and helps millions of WordPress 
sites.

_Props [@desrosj](https://profiles.wordpress.org/desrosj/) for contributing to this
guide._

[#5-1](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/5-1/), [#field-guide](https://make.wordpress.org/core/tag/field-guide/)

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 1.  ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/1d442bc94c6f4198991d0886f34c9d6482710d5a15ad5e358ef802e2a41818be?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 2.   [Slava Abakumov](https://profiles.wordpress.org/slaffik/)  7:09 am _on_ February
     8, 2019
 3.  > pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions
     > that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add
     > new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the
     > PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can 
     > be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/)
     > or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. error protection
 4.  No, they won’t see it.
 5.   * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c95de1e6c222121175c2c0dddf4631d2ea45704938f53332d12710379c6153e6?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [Jeffrey Paul](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/)  8:15 pm _on_ February
        8, 2019
      * Thanks [@slaffik](https://profiles.wordpress.org/slaffik/), I’ve removed that
        from the intro paragraph.
 6.  ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/6c4634642b5019871b4e7b57a30725359cbafc14607d9ba91f65e538347881fd?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 7.   [EkoJR](https://profiles.wordpress.org/ekojr/)  11:19 pm _on_ February 12, 2019
 8.  Another commit others may want to know about is…
 9.  [Accessibility: use `aria-current` for the paginated post links output by `wp_link_pages()`.](https://github.com/WordPress/wordpress-develop/commit/1258d1d9d2c7bef7c18b4e3420219cfa716d0aca)(
     [#41859](https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/41859))
 10. It adds improvements, but also introduced a pluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of
     software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website.
     They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. 
     WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly
     with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory [https://wordpress.org/plugins/](https://wordpress.org/plugins/)
     or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. issue where an unexpected value
     was returned.
 11. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/507957412cb2f34b76488a1075b74bd8fd0b3f63f97be180508c67582c0dde99?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 12.  [a4jp . com](https://profiles.wordpress.org/a4jpcom/)  3:56 am _on_ February 
     14, 2019
 13. Please bring back the random setting for the gallery.
 14. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/2e756a728c43265cdc37be5fe5f86957879b62cc476b0675eca9cef1cfad19bc?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 15.  [andy_moyle](https://profiles.wordpress.org/andy_moyle/)  7:29 am _on_ February
     15, 2019
 16. The link to the 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](https://www.javascript.com/)
     tutorial is a bunch of people talking about it. The link within that leads to 
     a 404, so not much of a tutorial there! Where is the tutorial pointed to in the
     GutenbergGutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress.
     The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making
     writing rich content much simpler. It uses ‘blocks’ to add richness rather than
     shortcodes, custom HTML etc. [https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/](https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/)
     blockBlock Block is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed
     together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. 
     The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes,
     custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience.
     goodies please?
 17.  * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/34a473773a63fb84f9a425991b98e373b4deb93b82945a1656631b1505c6955d?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [Per Søderlind](https://profiles.wordpress.org/pers/)  11:59 am _on_ February
        21, 2019
      * You’ll find it via [https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/blob/master/docs/designers-developers/developers/tutorials/readme.md](https://github.com/WordPress/gutenberg/blob/master/docs/designers-developers/developers/tutorials/readme.md)
 18. ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/98711ca08036c0dfb2ca3c5e0589dcdaf599eca9ce334d1a3add05090b2d7170?
     s=32&d=mm&r=g)
 19.  [joshuadelaware](https://profiles.wordpress.org/joshuadelaware/)  11:58 pm _on_
     March 6, 2019
 20. When uses with an apostrophe in their email address logged in to my site using
     WordPress 5.0, wordpress automatically added / with the apostrophe and it meant
     they could not log in. Was this fixed?
 21.  * ![](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/c95de1e6c222121175c2c0dddf4631d2ea45704938f53332d12710379c6153e6?
        s=32&d=mm&r=g)
      *  [Jeffrey Paul](https://profiles.wordpress.org/jeffpaul/)  5:32 pm _on_ March
        8, 2019
      * [@joshuadelaware](https://profiles.wordpress.org/joshuadelaware/) I tried searching
        to find that specific issue in TracTrac An open source project by Edgewall 
        Software that serves as a bug tracker and project management tool for WordPress.,
        but wasn’t able to find it. If you’re aware of the ticketticket Created for
        both bug reports and feature development on the bug tracker. number then we
        can check to see, but otherwise I’m not able to give you much of a helpful 
        answer… sorry!

Comments are closed.

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