Understanding WordPress PHP Compatibility Issues
Hello, friend! Today, we’re going to delve into an important WordPress issue that many beginners typically encounter, which is PHP compatibility. PHP is a programming language that powers a significant part of your WordPress website, and understanding how it works can help solve many problems. Specifically, we’re going to tackle how to deal with PHP compatibility issues between PHP7 and PHP8.
The Heart of the Problem
Our primary issue arises from using a WordPress plugin or theme that was coded using PHP7, but the server it’s being run on is using the newer PHP8. This mismatch causes compatibility errors because PHP8 deprecated (retired) some functions that were available in PHP7. One such function is create_function(). So, if your WordPress theme or plugin still uses this function, you’ll likely encounter errors.
Solutions for PHP Compatibility Issues
Downgrading the Server to PHP7
Downgrading your server to PHP7 is one potential quick fix. This means your server will now match the code’s PHP version, thereby eliminating compatibility issues. However, it’s crucial to note that PHP7 is an older version and might lack the security and performance enhancements found in PHP8.
Updating the Extension
Another, and probably better solution is to update the plugin or theme causing the issue so it becomes PHP8 compatible. This is usually as simple as downloading an update from the WordPress repository or the developer’s website. However, not all developers provide updates, and in some cases, you might be using a custom-coded extension without available updates.
Updating the Code Manually
If you’re comfortable with coding, the third option is to update the problematic code manually. This solution includes finding instances of deprecated functions in your code, such as create_function(), and replacing them with their PHP8 compatible versions.
Diving Into The Code
If you choose to manually update your code, you will need a code editor, such as Notepad++ which you can download here.
After you have installed your code editor, you need to open the problematic file, in this case, it’s google-maps.php, located in your website’s wp-content/plugins/full-site-builder-for-elementor/extensions/google-maps directory.
Once you have opened the file, navigate to line 136. This is where the error is coming from. We need to replace the deprecated create_function() with the new PHP8 anonymous function. You can learn more about this deprecated function here and here.
Since there may be other deprecated functions in the code, you need to search the document base for “”create_function(“” using the ‘Find in Files’ feature (accessible using Ctrl+Shift+F on Windows). Updating these instances will help get rid of the errors.
Please note, it’s not recommended to individually fix these errors unless there are no alternatives available, such as updating the plugin or downgrading your PHP version. This is because there are likely other types of deprecated code that might cause further issues.
And there you have it. By comprehending PHP compatibility and how to deal with it, you can prevent, diagnose, and fix related problems. Always remember, the more you understand your WordPress site, the easier it is to maintain and grow. Happy troubleshooting!