WordPress Version Control (What is it and the Best Solution)
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In this blog this article will explain what version control is and how it applies to WordPress. In the next article, we'll examine some options for tools allow you to incorporate the idea of control over version on your WordPress website.
What exactly do you mean by WordPress Version Control?
The software that manages version controls records the changes made to files (or files) over time, meaning it's possible to keep track of what has changed and should you need to, at any time, return to a previous version.
In conjunction with WordPress, version control lets you track changes that you, or any other user, apply to your website.
Within the WordPress setting, the term "version control" can be used to monitor various actions, including:
- Posting or updating an update.
- The update of your core software, or theme, plugin or other.
It is not just possible to observe the modifications, but it is also possible to erase them and roll back to the earlier version in case you need to.
If you are a developer, using version control can also help developers to manage changes to the codebase letting them clone sections of code that they want to work on before "merging" it back to the core codebase. In the case of how complicated your WordPress website is, you might be able to benefit from this feature.
What are the advantages of WordPress Version Control?
There are several major advantages of the installation of WordPress Version Control.
In the beginning, having a version control system will allow you to feel more comfortable with making adjustments to your site. Did you make a modification that has screwed something to the point of being unusable? Don't worry, you'll be able reverse the changes and get back to an original, working version of your site.
If you've learned more about how to establish a setting for revision control on your WordPress site, we can look at some options for WordPress Version Control.
The Top Options to Control WordPress Version Control
There are a variety of options for WordPress control based on the technical expertise you have and how comprehensive you would like your version control to be.
These are the WordPress version control options, which will be discussed in greater detail:
- VersionPress plug-in which also incorporates Git however, in a more natural manner, even though it's still in beta.
- WordPress Rollback A very easy method for rolling back modifications to themes and plugins.
Git: How To Utilize It with WordPress
Git is an open source distributed version control system that was developed by Linus Torvalds around 2005. It's more complex, but it's also one of the most widely-known versions control systems, and is employed by a variety of developers. That means that it's not only available to WordPress.
If you're looking to integrate Git along with WordPress There are several alternatives.
Other tools that are general-purpose and WordPress which can assist you to create using Git.
If you are looking for a WordPress-specific solution, two options are available:
- WordPress Pusher - allows you to push themes and plug-ins to any Git repository. Note that this one concentrates on themes and plugins.
The majority of the time, there are additional tools like Beanstalk as well as DeployBot.
How can you use VersionPress to control Version Control
VersionPress can be described as an open-source project that aims to "bring the power to the full potential of Git in WordPress" by allowing you to alter the version of the site's database, as well as its files. Though it heavily relies upon Git, VersionPress gets its own section due to the fact that it handles things in a different way than those methods previously mentioned.
What is unique What is unique about VersionPress is that it keeps track of every single modification and communicates it using the natural language of humans. As an example rather than simply logging changes to an existing database VersionPress is able to tell you you have "updated to your Hello World!" post. That's not surprising, as it is what makes Git a lot more useful and usable in the context of an WordPress website.
It's certainly nice however, it's important to know that VersionPress is considered to be a "Developer prototype". The Developer states that it's best to avoid using it to implement it on any actual web site.
In order to Download VersionPress You'll have to have Git running on the server, and be able to enable the proc_open feature().
How to use WP Rollback to reverse updates
Did you update one of the WordPress themes or plugins, and then saw it break some aspect of your website?
Well, first off make sure you're using a staging website to ensure that this does not happen! However, if you're running updates on a live website and there's a problem, it's helpful to be able restore the previous version, at least until you are able to determine the reason.
In order to assist you in doing that, WP Rollback adds a new rollback button to your website's plugins' user interface. The button lets you "roll back" any WordPress theme or plugin back to the earlier version.
Then, you can choose which version that you'd like to go back to:
Summary
The version control feature helps you keep track of changes to your WordPress site, allowing you to remain on top of the modifications and even reverse them if needed.
When you're working as group, having a version control system can also help you implement effective workflows through branches as well as blending. The team members are able to duplicate a specific portion of your site to work on and then "merge" with the copied code into your main code when the right time arrives for it to be released to the public.
If you are running WordPress There are numerous options to control the version of WordPress, in accordance with your preference as well as your knowledge of technology.
Finally, while it's far from being ready for users yet, VersionPress offers the most WordPress-specific application of Git and is certainly something to keep at the forefront of your mind.
Are you having any concerns regarding how to start making use of the control function for WordPress? Please let us know in the comments.
Brian Jackson
Brian is an avid user for WordPress He has been using the platform for more than a decade and has even developed two premium plugins. Brian loves hiking, movies and blogging. Connect with Brian via Twitter.
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