Update on 18 October 2019: Added the “Noteworthy Adminadmin (and super admin) CSSCSS Cascading Style Sheets. changes in WordPress 5.3” 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 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. to the Accessibility section

WordPress 5.3 is shaping up to be the best WordPress yet! Users will see new blocks, more intuitive 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 interactions, improved media handling, improved 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 the new Twenty Twenty default theme. Among many goodies in 5.3, developers will love the date/time component improvements, PHPPHP The web scripting language in which WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 5.6.20 7.4 compatibility, and will also be able to take advantage of 157 enhancements and feature requests, 366 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. fixes, and more! Let’s look at the many improvements coming in 5.3…

Accessibility

Of the 50 updates related to Accessibility in 5.3, you’ll want to particularly note the changes to Admin CSS, improvements of all the media views form controls and changes to explicit labeling, how coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. will now programmatically add aria-current="page" attributes to certain widgets, and programmatically add specific aria-label parameter for navigation menus. Read the dev notesdev 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 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. below for more details on the Accessibility focus.

Block Editor

The block editor has continued its rapid iteration since WordPress 5.0, and now has 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/ version 6.5 bundled with WordPress 5.3; that’s TWELVE releases all bundled into 5.3 (versions 5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.7, 5.8, 5.9, 6.0, 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, and 6.5)! Bug fixes and performance improvements from Gutenberg versions 6.6 and 6.7 will also be part of 5.3. The Beta 1 post highlights many of the new features and improvements across these releases, but I’ll specifically pull out the reduction in 1.5 seconds of loading time for a particularly sizeable post (~ 36,000 words, ~ 1,000 blocks) as an impressive achievement given all that has otherwise been added to the block editor. The dev notes below also highlight new server-side block style variations 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., a new block example API, the Group block, reduced block styles specificity, using class names for text alignment, Columns block classnames, color support for the separator block, an updates to Table and Gallery blocks markup.

Media

Of the 42 updates for Media in 5.3, you’ll want to particularly note the new way to manage big images by detecting them and generating a “web-optimized maximum size” of them as well as saving of image metadata while creating intermediate sizes. Read the dev notes below for more details on the Media component.

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

Of the 15 updates for Multisite in 5.3, you’ll want to particularly note changes to the database, changes to WP_MS_Sites_List_Table, return for short circuits for multisite classes, and improved performance for site and networknetwork (versus site, blog) lookups by ID. Read the dev note below for more details on the Multisite component.

PHP 7.4 & Code Modernization

The great news continues. WordPress 5.3 supports PHP 7.4, which is scheduled for release at the end of November! Contributors worked with several external libraries to ensure that all 5 tickets addressing compatibility issues for PHP 7.4 were addressed in time for WordPress 5.3.

In addition to ensuring 5.3 supports PHP 7.4, a handful of updates occurred as a result of the continued coding standards and code modernization efforts. Most notably, the spread operator is now in use where appropriate, and the native PHP 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. extension is now required to run WordPress.

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 and theme developers are encouraged to read the following detailed dev notes to fully understand the changes coming and how their code should be updated!

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/.

Of the 33 updates for the REST API in 5.3, you’ll want to particularly note register array and object metadata, nested response filtering with _fields query parameter, how to set drafts back to “floating date” status, and possibly best of all up to a 30-40% performance increase in large API responses. Read the dev note below for more details on the REST API component.

Site Health

Of the 31 updates for Site Health in 5.3, you’ll want to particularly note changes to the grading indicator, recovery email enhancements, filters for completed Site Health status tests, and a new Admin email verification screen. Read the dev notes below for more details on the Site Health component.

Other Developer Updates

There are even more goodies in 5.3 like much–needed fixes and a set of improvements to the Date/Time component, changes to prevent search engines indexing sites, new default for links in comments and comment author URLs to use the rel="nofollow ugc" attribute, changes on Twenty Nineteen HTMLHTML HyperText Markup Language. The semantic scripting language primarily used for outputting content in web browsers. structure, changes to wp_die() HTML output, expansion of the options available to compare_key so that developers have access to 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.-key comparison operators similar to those available for meta values, updates related to bumping the Backbone version bundled with WordPress from v1.3.3 to v1.4.0 and other external library updates, dropping support for integer menu slugs, addition of a “Show” button next to the password field on the login screen, passing arrays to supports argument when registering post types, HTML5 support for script and style arguments, recording additional information for saved queries, unit-less CSS line-height values, updates to cores’ build/test tools, and more! Read through the dev notes below to see what else is coming in 5.3.

But Wait, There is More!

Over 362 bugs, 157 enhancements and feature requests, and 36 blessed tasks have been marked as fixed in WordPress 5.3. Some additional ones to highlight include:

• General: Use ** operator to replacepow() function calls (#48083)
• 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.: Text length should be localizable (#44541)
• Menus: Replace httpHTTP HTTP is an acronym for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. HTTP is the underlying protocol used by the World Wide Web and this protocol defines how messages are formatted and transmitted, and what actions Web servers and browsers should take in response to various commands. with httpsHTTPS HTTPS is an acronym for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure. HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP, the protocol over which data is sent between your browser and the website that you are connected to. The 'S' at the end of HTTPS stands for 'Secure'. It means all communications between your browser and the website are encrypted. This is especially helpful for protecting sensitive data like banking information. in custom links menu item (#46312)
• Networks and Sites: Redundant blog_versions table (#19755)
• Networks and Sites: Save database version in site meta (#41685)
• Site Health: Provide simple debug data in WSOD emails (#48090)
• Widgets: Replace http with https in the link placeholder 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. image (#46320)

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

#5-3, #field-guide

WordPress 5.0 is officially the best WordPress 2018 has seen!  Users will be empowered with new and exciting tools to create to create truly unique sites while developers can to take advantage of 10 enhancements and features added.  Let’s look at the many improvements coming in 5.0…

Heard of 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/?

Not much has changed since 4.9.8, except this thing we lovingly call Gutenberg.  The Gutes.  Guten-all-the-things.  The 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.  Want to build Gutenblocks?  We’ve got details on filters in the new block editor.  We’ve got compatibility flags you can set when adding a 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. box to load the block editor or to fall back to the classic editor. There is also designer and developer documentation in the handbook.

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/. 🌐 and 🗣️

We’re bringing the internationalization capabilities that have existed in PHPPHP The web scripting language in which WordPress is primarily architected. WordPress requires PHP 5.6.20 for years to the world of JavaScript.  You can also translate strings in JavaScript files and distribute them via https://translate.wordpress.org.  The long-wished-for JavaScript actions and filters are now also available in core.

Default Themes

With all the excitement of the new block editor there is some exciting news on the default themes front. First, WordPress 5.0 welcomes the newest default theme to the family, Twenty Nineteen.

But, preexisting default themes have not been left behind! All preexisting default themes have been updated to be fully compatible with the new editor.

Media WYSIWYGWhat You See Is What You Get What You See Is What You Get. Most commonly used in relation to editors, where changes made in edit mode reflect exactly as they will translate to the published page.

5.0 brings a new way to interact with media within the editor, getting us to the world of a truly “what you see is what you getWhat You See Is What You Get What You See Is What You Get. Most commonly used in relation to editors, where changes made in edit mode reflect exactly as they will translate to the published page.” experience.  Some things have moved around, some new methods have been added, and new features abound; read below for details.

✉️🏷️s (Post Labels)

Five additional labels have been made available for custom post types, but you’ll have to click through below to learn more.  I dare you, click through.  Do it.

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/.

The 5.0 releaseRelease A release is the distribution of the final version of an application. A software release may be either public or private and generally constitutes the initial or new generation of a new or upgraded application. A release is preceded by the distribution of alpha and then beta versions of the software. brings a handful of great new REST API endpoints with it to power the new block editor. In addition to the new endpoints, there are a handful of other REST API changes to be aware of.

But Wait, There is More!

Over 26 bugs, 8 enhancements, 2 feature requests, and 6 blessed tasks have been marked as fixed in WordPress 5.0. Some additional ones to highlight include:

• Add CSSCSS Cascading Style Sheets. URLURL A specific web address of a website or web page on the Internet, such as a website’s URL www.wordpress.org sanitization to kses (#45067): Authors & Contributors can now use CSS in the post_content with a URL value, such as background-image. Used to get stripped out.

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

Update (2018-12-06): Added “JavaScript Packages and Interoperability in 5.0 and Beyond“

#5-0, #field-guide

WordPress 4.9 is officially the best releaseRelease A release is the distribution of the final version of an application. A software release may be either public or private and generally constitutes the initial or new generation of a new or upgraded application. A release is preceded by the distribution of alpha and then beta versions of the software. ever (that rhymes with Shore Joint Twine)!  Users have safer and more flexible ways to edit code, new and improved widgets, and improvements to customizing their site while developers will be able to take advantage of 188 enhancements and features added.  Let’s look at the many improvements coming in 4.9…

Widgets: now new and improved

Galleries aren’t just for posts anymore, now they can get all up in your sidebars. That’s a good thing, if you’re into that sort of thing. On top of that your text 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. now supports shortcodes, images, galleries, videos, audio, and other media. Oh, and the text widget now supports embeds, so go ahead and drop a YouTube clip in that widget.

Introducing the Gallery widget

Widget Improvements in WordPress 4.9

WordPress and CodeMirror sitting in a tree…

Something something I-D-E. Ever wondered what an IDEIDE Integrated Development Environment. A software package that provides a full suite of functionality to software developers/programmers. Normally an IDE includes a source code editor, code-build tools and debugging functionality. would look like inside WordPress? Do you use Notepad as your IDE? No? Great, then you’ll love the syntax highlighting, linting, and auto-completion functionality within the 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.’s Additional CSSCSS Cascading Style Sheets. feature, the Custom HTMLHTML HyperText Markup Language. The semantic scripting language primarily used for outputting content in web browsers. widget, and the 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 and Theme file editors!

Code Editing Improvements in WordPress 4.9

🔎, 🏗️, and 👓 Themes in the Customizer

That’s emoji for browsing, installing, and previewing, but you knew that already. The Customizer now includes a new experience theme browsing and live-previewing themes, as well as—for the first time—installing new themes from 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/ in the process. Don’t believe us? Then give it a try with your favorite theme!

A New Themes Experience in the Customizer

Changesets

Quick, what’s your favorite sequel? If you said Caddyshack 2, then we need to have a little chat. If you said Changesets 4.9, then you’re correct! Get ready to learn all about Drafting, Scheduling, Autoloading, and Linear/Branching Modes, Autosaving Auto-Drafts and Autosave RevisionsRevisions The WordPress revisions system stores a record of each saved draft or published update. The revision system allows you to see what changes were made in each revision by dragging a slider (or using the Next/Previous buttons). The display indicates what has changed in each revision., Post Locking, and Customization Drafts. Yes, all of that is in 4.9. You’re welcome.

New Features and Enhancements with Customizer Changesets in 4.9

Nav menu creation flow

Ever had problems working in the Customizer and adding a page to a menu or forgetting to assign a menu to a location when trying to create a menu? The Customizer’s menu creation flow has been updated to address these issues.

Nav Menu Improvements in the Customizer in 4.9

The A(PI)-Team

If you have a problem, if no one else can help, and if you can find them….maybe you can hire The A(PI)-Team. The Customizer JSJS JavaScript, a web scripting language typically executed in the browser. Often used for advanced user interfaces and behaviors. 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. improvements in 4.9 fix many longstanding annoyances and shortcomings with the JS API. Additionally, a 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/. update now effectively requires named URLURL A specific web address of a website or web page on the Internet, such as a website’s URL www.wordpress.org parameters and thus no longer allows regular (numeric) matches.

Improvements to the Customize JS API in 4.9

Improvements in REST API request parameter regular expressions

Multisweet 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 multimprovements

Run a networknetwork (versus site, blog) of sites? Then pour yourself some coffee and dig into all the multigoodies in 4.9. New functions and 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., replaced functions, capability and role updates, and some security improvements all come along for the ride on the multisite train.

Multisite Focused Changes in 4.9

Users and security updates

Were you hoping for new capabilities for activating and deactivating plugins plus installing and updating language files, capability security hardening, changes to how multisite handles switching roles and capabilities, and security improvements to how email addresses get updated in 4.9? If so, you’re going to be happy. If not, you should still be happy.

Improvements for roles and capabilities in 4.9

Account Security Improvements in WordPress 4.9

Don’t Press That

Press This is no longer in coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress., but can be found via a “canonical” plugin. Cry if you want to, but the functionality still exists so cheer up!

Press This in 4.9

ME.js updates.js

If.js I.js could.js think.js of.js something.js witty.js related.js to.js the.js ME.js.js updates.js, then.js I.js would.js have.js wrote.js that.js here.js. Instead.js… .js.js all.js the.js things.js.

MediaElement upgrades in WordPress 4.9

Updates for screen readers

As usual, we saved the best for last! Modernization and standardization comes to the screen-reader-text CSS class.

Changes to the screen-reader-text CSS class in WordPress 4.9

But Wait, There is More!

Roughly 400 bugs, 181 enhancements, 7 feature requests, and 42 blessed tasks have been marked as closed in WordPress 4.9.

Please, test your code. That bears repeating: Please, test your code. Fixing issues now, before 4.9 is released, helps you and helps millions of WordPress sites. Please. Test. Your. Code.

#4-9, #field-guide

WordPress 4.8 is officially the best WordPress 2017 has seen!  Users will receive new and refined features focused on Editing and Customizing their sites while developers will be able to take advantage of 109 enhancements and features added.  Let’s look at the many improvements coming in 4.8…

Media Widgets

Not one, not two, but three new media widgets makemake A collection of P2 blogs at make.wordpress.org, which are the home to a number of contributor groups, including core development (make/core, formerly "wpdevel"), the UI working group (make/ui), translators (make/polyglots), the theme reviewers (make/themes), resources for plugin authors (make/plugins), and the accessibility working group (make/accessibility). their way into coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress.. It’s like the AV crew just showed up and now the party can really begin. You get an audio 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.. You get an image widget. You get a video widget. Check under your seat, media widgets for everyone!

Media Widgets for Images, Video, and Audio

Fabulously Rich Text Widget

Robin Hood has come to town and is handing out rich text editing to all the text widgets. No more having to manually type out your HTMLHTML HyperText Markup Language. The semantic scripting language primarily used for outputting content in web browsers. in text widgets like it’s 2016.

Addition of TinyMCE to the Text Widget

Simpler Link Editing, Streamlined Browser Support, and Editor Instantiation via JSJS JavaScript, a web scripting language typically executed in the browser. Often used for advanced user interfaces and behaviors.

Editing just got a lot easier, you can thank us later. But trust us that adding and managing links within the editor is now easier than ever. If you don’t trust us, then just try navigating in and out of links with your arrow keys. Pretty cool, huh? That’s the new TinyMCE inline element / link boundaries. As for the reduced browser support, let’s just say IE 8, 9, and 10 have been thanked for their service but can feel free to enjoy their retirement. Also, if bootstrapping the TinyMCE content editor dynamically via JS is your thing, then boy are you going to be excited!

Editor changes in 4.8

Editor API changes in 4.8

WMV and WMA get retirement packages

Remember Silverlight? Many browsers these days don’t. So the file formats which require the presence of the Silverlight 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 are being removed from core support. Files will still display as a download link, but will no longer be embedded automatically.

Removal of core embedding support for WMV and WMA file formats

Resizing the 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. 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.

If you have used the Customizer on a high-resolution screen, then you may have noticed that the Customizer sidebar is… suboptimally narrow. The sidebar is now variable width based on screen size to help you receive the best editing experience possible.

Customizer sidebar width is now variable

WordCamps and meetups all up in your adminadmin (and super admin) dashboard

One of the best things about WordPress is its community. You can now read about WordCamps and meetups in your area right within your dashboard. No more excuses for missing the speaker or volunteer deadlines now!

Nearby WordPress Events

Showing upcoming local events in wp-admin

Mu will really love these 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 changes

We know you love superheroes but is_super_admin() needs to go. So while we’re replacing that with appropriate capabilities, we’re also treating you to some new 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. and a new $network_id parameter that gets wide usage across several functions.

Multisite Focused Changes in 4.8

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): saving the best for last

As a part of ongoing efforts to improve accessibility in WordPress, 4.8 includes some changes to headings within admin screens. This is a continuation of the work started in 4.3 on restoring the H1 (heading level 1) to the admin screens and continued in 4.4 with the introduction of a better headings hierarchy. Also improved is the Tag Cloud widget, now swapping out the title attributes in favor of aria-label attributes.

Cleaner headings in the admin screens

Tag Cloud widget changes in 4.8

But Wait, There is More!

Roughly 217 bugs, 108 enhancements, 1 feature requestfeature request A feature request should generally begin the process in the ideas forum, on a mailing list, as a plugin, or brought to the attention of the core team, such as through scope meetings held for each major release. Unsolicited tickets of this variety are typically, therefore, discouraged., and 16 blessed tasks have been marked as closed in WordPress 4.8. Some additional ones to highlight include:

• 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/.: orderby normalization (#38693)
• REST API: Add supports object to /types response (#39033)
• New 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. to disable auto-focus on the login screen (#40301)
• Screencast.com was added as an oEmbed provider (#38367)
• HHVM removed from the test matrix on Travis (#40548)
• Bundled Themes now support the new media and updated text widgets (#40745)
• Popular plugins feed has been removed from the dashboard (#40702)
• Support added for Bosnian 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. (bs_BA) in remove_accents() (#39658)
• Easily enqueue WP_Editor 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/. files using the new wp_enqueue_editor() (#35760)

New Action Hooks

• deleted_blog (#25584)
• print_default_editor_scripts (#35760)

New Filter Hooks

• file_mod_allowed replaces disallow_file_mods (#38673)
• minimum_site_name_length (#39676)
• nav_menu_submenu_css_class (#36163)
• page_menu_link_attributes (#40359)
• post_date_column_status (#39545)
• signup_site_meta (#39223)
• signup_user_meta (#39223)
• wp_doing_cron (#39591)
• widget_text_content (#40772)
• rest_oembed_ttl (#40450)
• widget_{$this->id_base}_instance (#32417)

Modified Filter Hooks

• widget_text_content (#40772)
• {$type}_template (#39525)
• display_media_states (#39628)
• media_library_show_audio_playlist (#31071)
• media_library_show_video_playlist (#31071)
• rest_pre_insert_comment (#39578)
• wp_is_large_network (#40489)

External Library Updates

• TinyMCE was updated from version 4.5.6 to version 4.6.2 (see: #40859).
• Twemoji was updated from version 2.2.2 to version 2.3.0 (see: #40858).
• zxcvbn was updated from version 1.0 to version 4.4.1 (see: #31647).

Please, test your code. That bears repeating: Please, test your code. Fixing issues now, before 4.8 is released, helps you and helps millions of WordPress sites. Please. Test. Your. Code.

#4-8, #field-guide