Drupal 11 is on the horizon, set to make its debut in either August or December 2024. That may seem like a distant future, but in the ever-evolving world of web development, a year and a half can go by in the blink of an eye. So, the big question we're here to explore is this: Is your website ready for the release of Drupal 11?
Let’s take a closer look at why it's crucial not to procrastinate when it comes to Drupal 11 preparation. We'll also discuss the importance of getting a head start and why the process should be more of a steady, consistent effort rather than a last-minute scramble.
An Overview of The Why and How of Drupal 11
Drupal 11 is generating quite the buzz, and for good reason. Anticipation is building as the Drupal community delves into discussions about Drupal 11, even before Drupal 10 has made its grand exit. This unprecedented level of excitement around Drupal 11 makes it a release like no other.
While the official End-of-Life date for Drupal 10 has yet to be revealed, there's a key factor that's setting a timeline for Drupal 11's arrival.
It revolves around PHP, one of Drupal's essential dependencies. PHP 8.1 is reaching its End-of-Life in 2024, so Drupal 11 will require PHP 8.2 and newer versions. This update aligns Drupal with the latest advancements in the web development world.
Moreso, among the key improvements, you can look forward to changes in the Composer mechanism, simplification of module installation, and a responsible move of modules from the Drupal core to contrib. These modifications are designed to enhance the core's flexibility and durability, ensuring that Drupal 11 can cater to a wide array of web development needs.
The Important Question: Is Your Website Aligned with Drupal 10's Latest Updates?
Ensuring your website's compatibility with the latest version of Drupal is a vital aspect of maintaining its functionality and security. Let's delve into some key considerations and changes that you should be aware of:
phpstan-drupal and drupal-rector
Two essential tools in the Drupal ecosystem, phpstan-drupal and drupal-rector, are instrumental in detecting changes and requirements and fixing them through custom code. Given that Drupal Core relies on these tools, it is crucial to pay close attention to them. Any future changes in Drupal core could render these tools outdated, making it essential to ensure they stay aligned with the core's development.
Change Records
To stay abreast of the latest changes and developments, it's highly recommended to keep an eye on Drupal's change records, spanning a significant period. This practice can help you gauge whether phpstan-drupal and drupal-rector continue to support the latest modifications effectively. It should ideally be a part of a sign-off process before a change record is published.
GitHub Repository
You can leverage a dedicated GitHub repository to import and track all the latest changes happening in Drupal core as issues. This is where you can triage these changes or issues to determine if phpstan-drupal and/or drupal-rector require updates to support them effectively. More information about this repository can be found [here](repository link).
Don’t Forget to Stay Abreast with Dependency Updates in Drupal 11
Drupal 11 aims to maintain backward compatibility to simplify the process for organizations looking to update their existing websites. Here are some of the major dependencies that you should be prepared to update:
PHP
Drupal 10 is compatible with PHP 8.2, so ensure that your website is compatible with this version to seamlessly transition to Drupal 11.
Symfony
Drupal 11 requires forward compatibility with Symfony 7. It's also crucial to address any new deprecations added in Symfony 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, and 6.4 to ensure smooth operation.
PHPUnit
As discussed earlier, PHPUnit 10 support is a prerequisite for Drupal 11.
Guzzle / PSR-7, PSR-17, PSR-18
Drupal 10 should now support only Guzzle 7.
jQuery 4
Drupal's core reliance on jQuery is diminishing, and the remaining code is expected to be forward-compatible with jQuery 4.
Other Dependencies
Regularly monitor and update other dependencies, such as CKEditor, to accommodate new major versions and maintain forward compatibility within Drupal 10 where possible.
Let’s Wrap It Up!
To sum it up, the release of Drupal 11 in 2024 presents an exciting evolution in web development. To ensure your website is prepared for this significant update, it's essential to act proactively. We talked about some of the critical factors, from staying current with Drupal 10 and its associated tools to understanding the purpose and process behind Drupal 11's development.
As the release date approaches, taking these steps will not only keep your website compatible with the latest Drupal features but also fortify its security and functionality.To understand more about Drupal 11 and the migration process, feel free to reach out to the experts at LN Webworks. Our experienced Drupal developer team is always there to resolve your queries/concerns and help you make a smooth transition.
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LN Webworks
Your Drupal Solution PartnerLN Webworks have championed open-source technologies for nearly a decade, bringing advanced engineering capabilities and agile practices to some of the biggest names across media, entertainment, education, travel, hospitality, telecommunications and other industries.
