WordPress Version 5.4 Introduction

If you haven’t been introduced to the WordPress 5.4 version, then you’ll find this very informative.  We are going to touch on the changes and additions that come with it. Anytime you update to a new WordPress version you’ll want to do a full backup of your database and site files before you start the core WordPress update.

Major and Minor Updates

There are two types of updates, major and minor updates. Major updates consist of a change in the second digit like 5.3 to 5.4 would be a major update and that consists of all types of additional new goodies. Minor updates are where the third digit changes such as 5.3.2. When there’s a change in that third number or the addition of a third number, that’s a minor update and will consist of bug fixes and security patches that need to be installed right away.

WordPress version 5.4 added new themes and features like new blocks for the editor as well as things you can’t see like security and overall site speed.  Sometimes new features might not go well with your installed plugins. You may choose to wait a few days so that the WordPress community can do their testing, especially with major updates. Minor updates do right away.  Now that we’ve gone over the background let’s review what is new in version 5.4.

After installing or updating to version 5.4 you’ll see the about page in the dashboard. This is where you’ll find an inventory of the additions or enhancements that came with the update. If you keep scrolling down the list it tells you more about what all is new.

In this update, there were several changes in the admin areas, CSS changes and improvements in the accessibility for disabled people. You’ll notice the information about the new themes, block editor improvements, and color updates that enhanced items like tables and buttons. Overall things just look better and run smoother.  One of the biggest updates is the improvements in the block editor itself.

Guttenberg Plugin

Gutenberg is a WordPress plugin for the page and post editor. The Gutenberg plugin is where WordPress does its testing on their goodies and improvements prior to actually adding them into the block editor. If you would like more information on the Guttenberg plugin, visit the WordPress site. There is a plugin so that you can stay with the classic editor if you want to avoid that confusion.

2020 Theme

One of the new themes is the 2020 theme. This contains more customizer features that were not previously available in the past WordPress default themes. You will find site health checks and automatic image rotation in their new enhancements.

Located in the “Tools”, is the site health check plugin that was rolled in the WordPress core. Although it takes some things out, it adds even more items to make it a better all-around tool for your site.

Be sure to look into your PHP compatibility.  You want the most recent stable version working on your host. The older versions are no longer being maintained which makes them a security risk that you don’t need. Let your hosting company know you want to have the PHP immediately upgraded to version 7.1 or newer. (A warning will appear as you attempt to install a WP core version if it is compatible with the PHP version or not.)

If you don’t know what an update changes or offers new you aren’t likely to benefit from the changes. Becoming more familiar with your updates allows you to utilize everything it offers. If you need to come more familiar with WordPress see our previous post, Beyond WordPress Basics.

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