REST API Chat Summaries: Jan 31, Feb 7

This post summarizes the weekly 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/. chat meetings on January 31, 2019 and February 7, 2019. (agenda/notes, Jan 31 Slack transcript, Feb 7 Slack transcript). Weekly REST API component office hours are held every Thursday at 18:00 UTC in the #core-restapi room in the Make WordPress SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/..

February 14 meeting agenda

Have a topic for discussion for today’s meeting on February 14 2019 18:00 UTC? Leave a suggested edit on the agenda document.

5.1: Dev Notedev note Each important change in WordPress Core is documented in a developers note, (usually called dev note). Good dev notes generally include a description of the change, the decision that led to this change, and a description of how developers are supposed to work with that change. Dev notes are published on Make/Core blog during the beta phase of WordPress release cycle. Publishing dev notes is particularly important when plugin/theme authors and WordPress developers need to be aware of those changes.In general, all dev notes are compiled into a Field Guide at the beginning of the release candidate phase. needs?

  • The new rest_post_search_query filterFilter Filters are one of the two types of 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. could be called out in Other Changes.
  • changeset 44625 (update wp_die() to handle 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. contexts) could also be called out in Other Changes.

5.2 Tickets: Owners Needed

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/ Widgets Endpoint

  • WordPress/gutenberg#13511: POC for a legacy 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. 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.. @jorgefilipecosta requests input from REST API contributors.
    • Feedback provided around endpoint structure and parameter access
    • @kadamwhite proposes that user stories or use-cases for how these widgets will be consumed and displayed in the editor and rendered posts should be written for new endpoints, to inform implementation.

Authentication

  • All present agree we have a strong need for a coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. authentication solution. Existing plugins like the OAuth2 or JWT-Auth plugins work and are used on numerous sites, but need UXUX User experience improvements and more documentation / example clients to be truly broadly applicable. OAuth2 in particular is seen as too complex / difficult to implement as a client developer.
  • Discussion on core auth since WCUS has centered on supporting basic authentication (only over SSL) (#42790), as the simplest path forward.
    • The main weakness of basic auth is that it ties all authorized applications to the user’s account name and password, so apps cannot be individually authorized or disconnected without creating new site accounts (not workable for e.g. the core mobile applications).
  • @koke thinks a JWT-based solution could be workable from the mobile applications.
  • The way CGI environments mutate authorization headers complicates any core-wide solution. A custom headerHeader The header of your site is typically the first thing people will experience. The masthead or header art located across the top of your page is part of the look and feel of your website. It can influence a visitor’s opinion about your content and you/ your organization’s brand. It may also look different on different screen sizes. may be necessary.
  • @espellcaste has volunteered to reach out to authors of existing 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/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party directory REST API auth solutions to get their input on what is best for core.

Upcoming Meetings

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