Understanding the Impact of WordPress 5.5’s Cessation of jQuery Migrate
The release of WordPress 5.5 marked a significant change in the platform’s operations – it no longer supports jQuery Migrate. For beginners, jQuery Migrate is a library that acted as a bridge for older codes to function with more recent jQuery updates. This change might lead to some issues, particularly with older plugins and themes that still rely on jQuery Migrate.
Addressing Issues from Upgrading to WordPress 5.5
Many users reported problems after the upgrade to WordPress 5.5. While one swift solution is to install a plugin like the Enable jQuery Migrate Helper, this isn’t a long-term fix. It’s crucial to understand that relying on the jQuery Migrate Helper plugin might lead to compatibility issues in the future. This approach also opens up potential security vulnerabilities because many outdated plugins/themes can become easy targets for cyber threats.
The most robust solution is to update your plugins and themes to the latest versions that don’t rely on jQuery Migrate. If that’s not possible, consider switching to other plugins that don’t require jQuery Migrate.
Updates on the jQuery Migrate Helper Plugin
As of September 2020, the Enable jQuery Migrate Helper plugin worked up to, and inclusive of, WordPress 5.5. However, this plugin’s subsequent updates now allow it to work past WordPress 5.6. Do note that from version 5.6 onwards, it includes a different version of jQuery Migrate and fewer files, mostly jQuery-UI scripts.
Alternative Options if You Want to Continue Using the Older Version of jQuery
If you still wish to use older versions of jQuery, there are a couple of solutions that you can implement.
Option A: Modify the jQuery Migrate Helper Plugin
You can alter the Enable jQuery Migrate Helper plugin to always use the old version of jQuery. Firstly, copy the jQuery Migrate plugin to a new directory, effectively creating your own plugin. After renaming it, locate the ‘replacescripts’ function in the ‘class-jquery-migrate-helper.php’ file. Replace the line that begins with ‘if (versioncompare’ with ‘if(true)’, and the plugin will always install the old version of jQuery.
Option B: Create a New Plugin
You could also create an entirely new plugin to use the old jQuery files. Start by creating a new plugin, then copy all the files from the ‘js’ folder in the jQuery Migrate plugin to the ‘js’ folder in your new plugin.
You’ll then need to add a specific chunk of code into your new plugin file. This code sets the framework for your new plugin and ensures that the old jQuery files will function correctly with it. For a detailed guide on this process, please refer to the code provided above.
Moving Forward with WordPress
WordPress, like all tech platforms, undergoes regular updates to enhance its functionality, user-friendliness, and security. Adapting to these changes can often prevent potential security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues. Hence why it’s generally better to update your plugins and themes or replace them when they’re no longer supported, rather than sticking to older versions. Stay updated and protect your WordPress website!