The latest version of WordPress is WordPress 5.8, and it has brought up tons of improvements to the platform. This version of WordPress is offering a lot of new features to its users.
On July 20, 2021, the latest version of WordPress was released as WordPress 5.8 “Tatum“, and this new feature brings tons of existing new features to the content management system (CMS). In addition, WordPress 5.8 integrated full site editing into WordPress Core and improved the functionality of the Gutenberg block-based editor. The merge focused on introducing Gutenberg to WordPress users who haven’t yet started using it.
WordPress is updating itself to new versions day by day with attractive new features. Thus, to know the features, advantages, and ways of updating, you must join a training institute for WordPress development courses in Durgapur.
A quick and complete overview of what is new in WordPress
The most significant changes that the user will observe in WordPress 5.8 are the new and improved tools and features for full site editing, providing users and developers’ complete control over each element within a WordPress site.
Configuration blocks are made easier for the SEO posts and websites with the Template Editing Mode and the Block Widgets Editor. Also, several other new theme blocks are available with drag-drop functionality and auto-complete shortcuts such as Query Loop and Query Block.
In the WordPress 5.8 version, block-related features exhibit several improvements for better usability. For example, the block toolbars in this version i.e., in Tatum, have a congruous grouping format, whereas the Reusable Block function gives a better usage flow. Furthermore, Revision History and Tag Suggestions smoothen the users’ work.
This updated version of WordPress also comprises Duotone Filters which are used for more appropriate image customization and WebP Image Support are used for faster loading speed. Along with these features, users can now implant PDF files into posts.
As Global Settings APIs are useful for configuring blocks’ settings and features’ accessibility, so the developers of WordPress will find it. Another feature of this version is the Site Health interface; it allows customization, which means that the developers can register a custom tab navigation and reorder or remove tabs.
Last but not the least, Tatum (WordPress 5.8) drops support for Internet Explorer 11. The WordPress Core automated tools will no longer perform updates and release patches for the said browser to expect a performance improvement.
Full Site Editing and Customization changes
To provide a full site editing experience, let us have a closer look at what WordPress 5.8 brings to the table. All the customization changes and new features are covered in the below sections that you expect from the latest update.
Template Editor:
This post editor offers a Template Editing Mode in the settings sidebar, which allows the users to create, assign, and modify block templates for specific posts and pages. This mode terminates the need to use block-based themes in order to work with Gutenberg. Also, Template Editor makes the entire site-building experience with an intention to provide more beginner-friendly because the child theme no longer requires creating and editing custom templates.
Without theme.json configuration set by default, WordPress disables the Template Editor for themes. Although by adding the following code to the theme’s functions.php file, the users can manually enable it in classic themes:
add_theme_support (‘block-templates’);
In the same way, the block themes and themes with theme.json configuration can be opt-out of simply by adding the following line to the theme’s functions.php file:
add_theme_support(‘block-templates’); Custom templates are stored in WordPress as custom post types labelled wp_template. When exporting the site files, the template files will be included in WordPress, and it allows the users to reuse them on different websites.
Block-based Widgets:
The Widget area that is accessed via Appearance -> Widgets now treats the widgets as blocks. By allowing the users to customize each widget, Widget Blocks improve the block editor’s flexibility without using any third-party plugin. Using a Legacy Widget block, users may also add, edit and preview third-party tools. Additionally, WordPress supports Legacy Widget block migration to one or multiple packs, stating that users can use classic widgets that aren’t available as blocks yet.
Also, WordPress 5.8 version comes with 13 new blocks as follows:
- Site Logo: For resizing the logo image, this block comes with drag-and-drop functionality.
- Site Tagline: This block displays and edits the tagline.
- Site Title: This block displays the site title and then links it to the homepage.
- Query Loop: This block displays custom lists and posts types based on query parameters and visual configurations without complex coding.
- Post Title: This block lets the users turn a title into a link, add a link relation, and open the link in a new tab.
- Post Content: This block is only available to create a list of posts or in a template.
- Post Excerpt: This block supports standard text formatting and inline settings.
- Post Date: To turn the post into a draft, this block can schedule posts or reset the publishing date.
- Post Featured Image: This block is usable in Widget areas and a list of posts.
- Post Categories and Post Tags: This block is a variation of Post Terms.
- Log in/out: This block displays a login form or redirects visitors to the login page.
- Page List: It shows a list of pages.
If you are unwilling to enable the Widget Blocks to feature yet, install the Classic Widgets plugin.
Query Loop:
This is a new block that adopts the WordPress Loop functionality. Based on query parameters and visual configurations, users display custom lists and post types without complex coding. In addition, this block offers two display types- one is the carousel, and the other is grid views.
The other features included in WordPress are Duotone filters, PDF Embedder and Viewer, Usability Improvements, List View Panel Changes, Block Toolbar and Parent Block Selector, etc. One important feature of WordPress 5.8 is based on the block and theme the user is currently using it which suggests the block patterns to them in order to create a new block.
If you are interested in making your career as a WordPress Developer, join Swadesh IT to learn the updated version of WordPress.
Add Comment