5.2.3 Release Planning

You may have noticed discussions in devchat the last month or so* around timeframes for 5.3 later this year as well as working to release a 5.2.3 sooner than that due to resolved defects waiting to be released. This proposal provides an opportunity for us to release 5.2.3 in the nearer term while others begin to shift their focus to 5.3. Read on to see the proposed focus and timeline for 5.2.3!

Proposed focus

Along with the items already milestoned for 5.2.3, we can look into including items related to the PHPPHP The web scripting language in which WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 5.6.20 or higher version bump coming in 5.3, backporting some 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 features, as well as improving 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 RTL issues. Issues noted below are linked to TracTrac An open source project by Edgewall Software that serves as a bug tracker and project management tool for WordPress. and include their summary and related keywords for quick review.

The following relate to the PHP version bump:

  • #47160: 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. blocking of 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 updates if required PHP version is not supported [defect] [2nd-opinion] [needs-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.]
  • #47699: Remove redundant 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. polyfills for PHP native functionality [enhancementenhancement Enhancements are simple improvements to WordPress, such as the addition of a hook, a new feature, or an improvement to an existing feature.] [has-patch] [has-unit-tests] [needs-dev-note]
  • #47797: Provide compatible coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. update for users not on PHP >= 5.6 [enhancement] [has-patch] [needs-testing]

The following, along with any backported 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/ items, relate to improvements in the block editor:

  • #45739: Block Editor: $editor_styles 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.. [closed] [defect]
  • #45935: A URLURL A specific web address of a website or web page on the Internet, such as a website’s URL www.wordpress.org in do_block_editor_incompatible_meta_box function does not have classic-editor__forget parameter [closed] [defect]
  • #47079: Incorrect version for excerpt_allowed_blocks 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. [closed] [defect]
  • #47216: Block Editor crashes on custom post types without title support [closed] [defect]
  • #47489: Emoji are substituted in preformatted blocks [closed] [defect]

The following relate to improvements across the accessibility and RTL focuses:

  • #30506: RTL: Hours and minutes fields order reversed in post editing [closed] [defect]
  • #46757: Media TrashTrash Trash in WordPress is like the Recycle Bin on your PC or Trash in your Macintosh computer. Users with the proper permission level (administrators and editors) have the ability to delete a post, page, and/or comments. When you delete the item, it is moved to the trash folder where it will remain for 30 days.: The Bulk Media options when in the Trash shouldn’t provide two primary buttons [closed] [defect]
  • #46758: Media Trash: Primary button(s) should be on the left [closed] [defect]
  • #46899: Ensure that tables generated by the Settings 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. have no semantics [closed] [defect]
  • #46978: Remove title attributes from the 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. 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. [closed] [defect]
  • #47113: Media views: dismiss notice button is invisible [closed] [defect]
  • #47122: Media views: fix unlabelled controls [closed] [defect]
  • #47141: Radio and checkbox labels rely on implicit association [closed] [defect]
  • #47145: Feature Image dialog does not follow the dialog pattern [closed] [defect]
  • #47386: Fix headings hierarchy in the legacy Custom Background and 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. pages [closed] [defect]
  • #47390: Improve accessibility of forms elements within some “form-table” forms [closed] [defect]
  • #47458: Fix tab sequence order in the Media attachment browser [closed] [defect]
  • #47502: Media modal bottom toolbar cuts-off content in Internet Explorer 11 [closed] [defect]
  • #47603: My account toggle on adminadmin (and super admin) bar not visible at high zoom levels [closed] [defect]
  • #47688: Color hex code in color picker displayed in RTL instead of LTR on RTL install (take 2) [closed] [defect]
  • #47693: 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. Color picker should get closed when click on color picker area. [closed] [defect]
  • #47758: Font sizes on installation screen are too small [closed] [defect]

While we haven’t historically handled default theme-related changes in 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., the following are also potentially viable and related to Block Editor and Accessibility improvements as well:

  • #47190: Twenty Seventeen: Native audio and video embeds have no focus state. [closed] [defect]
  • #47340: Twenty Nineteen: Revise Latest Posts block styles to support post content options. [closed] [defect]
  • #47414: Twenty Seventeen: Button block preview has extra spacing within button [closed] [defect]
  • #47543: Twenty Seventeen: buttons don’t change color on hover and focus [closed] [defect]

Proposed timeline

Proposed timeline for this minor release is as follows:

I recognize that the release is the week of the US Labor Day holiday, but hopefully we can keep roughly to this timeframe so that we don’t drag on too long into September and further disrupt plans on 5.3.

Actions needed

We’ll want to confirm this focus, timeline, and release leadRelease Lead The community member ultimately responsible for the Release.(s) for 5.2.3 in devchat. So please comment on this post or come to devchat prepared to discuss, thanks!

Update on 15 August 2019

Note that from yesterday’s devchat that we’ve agreed to exclude the two “remove” related tickets from the proposed list of items in 5.2.3. I’ve gone ahead and used strikethrough on those in the listing above.

We’re working to capture release lead(s) nominations, so please add those to this post, yesterday’s devchat summary post, or come to next week’s devchat to nominate a lead. You’re welcome to nominate yourself or someone else. We plan to confirm release lead(s) in next week’s devchat and then work to confirm the 5.2.3 timeline.

Update on 27 August 2019

Note that during today’s bugscrub that we decided to skip RC2 as there are no new commits since RC1 and no regressions reported against RC1. We will continue with the remaining timeline and planned release on September 4, 2019 at 17:00 UTC.

* see: June 26th, July 3rd, July 10th, July 17th, July 31st, and August 7th.

#5-2-3, #planning