WordPress recently announced that the release of its third major version for 2021 will be delayed until January 25, 2022. The project had fallen significantly behind schedule, with core contributors expressing doubts about meeting the 2021 deadline as recently as last week.
Behind the scenes, there was a rush to meet the original deadline, accompanied by a growing realization that failure to postpone the release could lead to regrettable decisions. Major issues indicated that version 5.9 could not be released on time.
WordPress 5.9, initially scheduled for December 2021, is a major release. However, the development team was overwhelmed by the amount of changes required.
High Hopes For WordPress 5.9
WordPress version 5.9 represents a significant milestone for the community as it includes critical upgrades to the full site block editing capabilities. Full Site Editing allows users to edit every aspect of a website using the Gutenberg block interface, designed to make WordPress easier to use through a visual interface.
Key Components of Version 5.9 Not Ready
Several key components of the block-based editor were not ready for release. The block-based editor represents the future of WordPress, but without these critical elements, the future remains delayed.
According to WordPress, they were faced with two choices:
- Release a significantly diminished version to meet the deadline
- Delay the release and launch the full intended version on a later date
WordPress encountered insurmountable issues, which led to the delay of version 5.9:
“Near the end of the original alpha release cycle, issues arose related to multiple major features planned for the 5.9 release, including:
Full Site Editing (FSE), which is a collection of features such as global styles interface, Navigation Block, block themes, template editors, and site editing flows.
The Twenty Twenty-Two (TT2) theme, which depends on these FSE features.”
A freeze was instituted on the introduction of new features to focus on finishing version 5.9.
"5.9 is still in feature freeze. Work from here on is strictly to address the changes required to bring the release to a stable state."
WordPress Rushed In A Dangerous Way
Core contributors raised concerns over a week ago, noting that the project was not ready and was being dangerously rushed. They recommended moving the release date to a later time.
One core contributor expressed:
“I think there are some large red flags that some things are not ready for 5.9. Especially re-creating the entire post list for templates/template parts at the last minute.
Don’t we want to give new flows ample testing in Gutenberg to ensure they are refined and the desired solution before including them in a core release?
We once thought the Nav Panel was a preferred solution; imagine if we had shipped that to core WP just days after it had been developed. We would be regretting it now.
Overall, it seems like we are rushing things in a dangerous way. Missing the expected target date would be better than making potentially regrettable decisions and incorporating brand new flows into core WP at the last minute.”
Better Off Releasing Post Holiday
The sight of core contributors “rushing things in a dangerous way” to meet an arbitrary deadline might appear concerning. Core contributors were themselves worried about realistically delivering a finished product in time.
Releasing a major version upgrade after the year-end holidays may be better. The potential for something to go wrong during the holiday shopping season could be disastrous. Delaying the release until after the holidays seems to be a safer and more strategic choice.
Citation
Read The Announcement Of The WordPress 5.9 Delay
- WordPress 5.9 Revised Release Schedule
Core WordPress Contributors Raise Red Flags on WP 5.9
- Overview of WP 5.9 pending issues and blockers
