Random Thoughts On…Backwards Compatibility  ## Metadata - Author: [[jorbin]] - Full Title: Random Thoughts On…Backwards Compatibility - Category: #articles - Document Note: # Title: Backward Compatibility in WordPress - - - tags: #WordPress #BackwardCompatibility #WebDevelopment Author: Aaron Jorbin Source: aaron.jorb.injorbin Reference: N/A date created: 2023-12-22T10:15 - - - ## Table of Contents: 1. [Summary](#-summary) 2. [Main Content](#-main-content) - [Notes](#-notes) 3. [References](#-references) 4. [Paraphrase](#-paraphrase) 5. [Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [Methodology](#-methodology) - [Implications](#-implications) - [Future Research](#-future-research) - [Implications](#-implications) - [Logical Validity](#-logical-validity) 6. [Conclusion](#-conclusion) ## 📝 Summary: Backward compatibility in WordPress is a complex topic with varying definitions and interpretations. Its main purpose is to maintain user trust and data portability. However, every new version of WordPress may break backward compatibility, which raises questions about who is affected and how they are affected. Notably, relying on HTML for consistency in API is unreliable, particularly for the admin interface. Precedence and recent experiences matter for trust, and WordPress can learn from other projects like Drupal in handling backward compatibility. Node.js's stability index provides valuable insights into managing API changes. While avoiding white screen experiences is ideal, they are sometimes unavoidable in the pursuit of progress. Developers should adopt a defensive approach in their code and avoid making excessive assumptions about stability and order of actions. ## 📖 Main Content: Backward compatibility in WordPress is a topic that often sparks different definitions and interpretations. The primary goal of backward compatibility is to maintain user trust and data portability. However, it's essential to consider who is affected and how they are affected by changes in backward compatibility. ### 🗒️ Notes: - The maintenance of trust is crucial because people stay when data portability is valued. - Every version of WordPress may break backward compatibility, but understanding the extent of the breakage is key. - HTML is not a reliable language for an API, especially concerning consistency. - The impact of backward compatibility matters more for the admin interface than for the front end. - Relying on specific HTML staying the same for code extension is a flawed approach. - Precedence in addressing issues inspires trust, particularly when it's consistent. - WordPress can learn from other projects like Drupal in managing backward compatibility. - Node.js's stability index is a valuable resource for setting expectations for API changes. - While white screen experiences should be avoided, they are sometimes unavoidable, especially in cases of severe misuse. - Developers should adopt a defensive coding approach and minimize assumptions about code stability and order of actions. ## 📖 References: - N/A ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: 1. Backward compatibility in WordPress is a contentious subject with varying definitions and interpretations. Its core purpose is to uphold user trust and data portability. However, each new WordPress version may disrupt backward compatibility, leading to questions about the extent of impact on users. Notably, relying on HTML for API consistency is unreliable, especially within the admin interface. The importance of precedence and recent experiences cannot be overstated in building trust. WordPress can draw valuable insights from other projects like Drupal in addressing backward compatibility challenges. Node.js's stability index offers a valuable framework for managing API changes. While it is ideal to avoid white screen experiences, they may occasionally be inevitable in pursuit of progress. Developers should adopt a defensive coding strategy and minimize unwarranted assumptions about code stability and action order. 2. Evaluating the concept of backward compatibility in WordPress often yields varying definitions and interpretations. Its primary objective remains the preservation of user trust and data portability. Nevertheless, the introduction of new WordPress versions often disrupts backward compatibility, prompting considerations regarding the affected parties and the extent of their inconvenience. Notably, relying on HTML for API consistency proves unreliable, particularly within the admin interface. The significance of precedence and recent experiences cannot be overstated, as they significantly influence trust-building. WordPress can gain valuable insights from the practices of other projects such as Drupal in addressing backward compatibility concerns. The adoption of Node.js's stability index can aid in managing API changes effectively. Although avoiding white screen experiences is desirable, their complete prevention may not always be feasible, particularly in cases of severe misuse. Developers should adopt a cautious coding approach and refrain from making undue assumptions regarding code stability and action sequences. ## 🧪 Hypotheses: 1. Future research could investigate the specific impact of backward compatibility breaks in WordPress on user trust and data portability. 2. A study could explore alternative approaches to HTML for API consistency in web development, considering the challenges identified in WordPress. 3. Research could assess the effectiveness of Node.js's stability index in guiding API changes and setting user expectations. ### 📊 Methodology: 1. Conduct surveys and interviews with WordPress users to gauge their reactions and sentiments when backward compatibility is disrupted. 2. Analyze the use of other markup languages or technologies in web development to evaluate their suitability for ensuring API consistency. 3. Collect data from open-source projects and developers to determine the practicality and success of Node.js's stability index in managing API changes. ### 💡 Implications: 1. Understanding the impact of backward compatibility on user trust can inform WordPress development practices and prioritize user-centric solutions. 2. Exploring alternative technologies for API consistency could lead to innovations in web development that enhance stability and reliability. 3. Implementing Node.js's stability index in WordPress development could improve transparency and predictability in API changes. ### 🔮 Future Research: 1. Investigate the psychological and behavioral aspects of user trust in open-source software projects like WordPress. 2. Explore the adoption and adaptation of other markup languages or technologies in web development to address API consistency challenges. 3. Conduct comparative studies on the effectiveness of different stability indices in managing API changes in various open-source projects. ### ❓ Implications: 1. Understanding the impact of backward compatibility on user trust can inform WordPress development practices and prioritize user-centric solutions. 2. Exploring alternative technologies for API consistency could lead to innovations in web development that enhance stability and reliability. 3. Implementing Node.js's stability index in WordPress development could improve transparency and predictability in API changes. ### ✅ Logical Validity: The article presents a logical and coherent discussion of backward compatibility in WordPress. It highlights the importance of user trust and data portability while acknowledging the challenges posed by HTML as an API language. The article draws on examples from other projects like Drupal and Node.js to provide valuable insights. There are no apparent logical fallacies, and the tone is informative and analytical. ## Conclusion: Backward compatibility in WordPress is a multifaceted topic with varying definitions and implications. It primarily aims to preserve user trust and data portability, but the extent of its disruption in each WordPress version raises questions. Relying on HTML for API consistency is unreliable, particularly in the admin interface. Trust is built through precedence and recent experiences. WordPress can learn from other projects like Drupal and Node.js in managing backward compatibility. While avoiding white screen experiences is ideal, it may not always be possible. D - Summary: Backward compatibility in WordPress is a topic that often sparks different definitions and interpretations. The main purpose of backward compatibility is to maintain user trust and data portability. While every version of WordPress may break backward compatibility, it is crucial to consider who is affected and how they are affected by these changes. HTML is not a reliable language for API, especially when it comes to consistency. Drupal's documentation on backward compatibility can provide valuable insights for WordPress, and Node.js's stability index can help set expectations for API changes. While white screen experiences should be avoided, it is impossible to prevent them entirely in the name of progress. Developers should be defensive in their code and avoid making assumptions. - URL: https://aaron.jorb.in/random-thoughts-onbackwards-compatibility/  A regular question in WordPress is what does the commitment to backward compatibility mean. Nearly everyone has a slightly different definition. So here are bunch of random thoughts on the general topic area. * The reason behind backward compatibility is that the maintenance of trust is why people stay when data portability is a value. If you take away anything, take away that User Trust Matters. * I’ve long thought that every version of WordPress breaks backward compatibility, but the important question is what does that break mean. Who is affected and how are they affected? * HTML is generally a bad language for an API. Counting on HTML being consistent on both micro and macro levels is not a level of trust you should count on. + This matters more for the admin than for the front end. In the front end, care should be taken but outreach and research are required. + If your method of extending code is counting specific HTML staying the same, you are doing it wrong. * Precedence matters. It matters more when it’s recent, but a consistent experience when faced with the same issue will inspire trust. * As is often the case, WP can learn a lot from other projects and how they handle this problem. + I think Drupal’s documentation for [frontend backward compatibility](https://www.drupal.org/about/core/policies/core-change-policies/frontend-bc-policy) and [backend backward compatibility](https://www.drupal.org/about/core/policies/core-change-policies/bc-policy) are great documents and WP would benefit from them. + Drupal is also clear that between major versions there [shouldn’t be any expectation of code compatibility](https://www.drupal.org/node/2613652), but that data should always have a path between versions. I think this is fine if your target audience is highly technical and not end users. + I also like how Node.js does its [stability index](https://nodejs.org/api/documentation.html#stability-index) to provide expectations on API changes. * White Screen experiences should be avoided but are impossible to prevent completely in the name of progress. The rare case where one is acceptable is when someone is doing something heinously wrong such as modifying core files or forcing a specific version of the experimental Gutenberg plugin. * The more vulnerable the population, the more important to protect them from decisions. A practical example here is that I expect developers of enterprise sites to be on top of changes but I don’t expect the local bakery’s website to do anything (Except include your hours somewhere I can find them and please, make your menu mobile friendly) * The order of actions shouldn’t be considered stable. If you expect something to have happened, check and make sure it did. + In general, developers need to be defensive in their code. The more assumptions you make, the more fragile your code. + I still think it’s important to make the order logical if possible. `pre_event` should come before `event` which comes before `post_event`., Random Thoughts On…Backwards Compatibility, jorbin, 01hj8zvxm5s3kd2spqjp3w9g8q.