With WordPress finally moving away from old PHP versions, and with very low usage statistics related to older PHP versions, it is time to also make significant changes to the basic design of all Dev4Press plugins.
The process of modernizing the plugins code base will take a lot of time, and it will be done gradually, starting with the main shared code library: Dev4Press Library. This library is the core of all Dev4Press plugins and it contains base components for everything plugins use, including the admin side interface.
The long term plans include modernizing the codebase to use very powerful PHP namespacing and class autoloaders to further optimize the way each plugin is loaded. Also, a lot of work will be done to further abstract the plugin admin side UI, to make some visual improvements and refinements, improve responsiveness and more.
Dev4Press Library
Before the plugins can be improved, the main thing is to update the shared code library. The changes are already in the works, and there will be few minor updates before the plugin reaches version 3.0 that will have all the planned changes. Here is the list of planned changes:
- Reorganize all classes to use namespaces
- Use PHP autoloader for all the classes
- Remove built-in Fontawesome 4.7 icons font
- Expand Dev4Press font icons set with icons for UI
- Build new UI classes and include default page elements
- Convert all the UI CSS into SCSS
- Remove old and unused functions
The plan is to finish all these in the next two months. A lot has been done already, but I expect that UI changes will take most of the time.
Plugins And Addons
Similar to the Library, all plugins will need massive updates to be able to use the Library and to update the existing code base and existing UI. While all plugins already use the same basic UI, there are some inconsistencies that will need to be fixed and updated. Changes needed for all plugins and addons include:
- Reorganize all classes to use namespaces
- Use PHP autoloader for all the classes
- Use updated UI from the Dev4Press Library
So far, the first plugin that will be released with a lot of the work done toward the goal is GD Quantum Theme Pro for bbPress. It will be released next week, with full namespace based organization, improved loading and a lot more new features on top.
Other plugins and addons will follow, with the goal of finishing conversion processes for all plugins in the next 9 to 12 months.
