Probably everybody knows the phrase "Elvis has left the building": it is a phrase that was often used by public address announcers at the conclusion of Elvis Presley concerts in order to disperse audiences who lingered in hopes of an encore.
Here at Onlinecommunityhub, it is not Elvis, but Joomla 3 which has left the building.
Joomla 3 bids farewell
In the world of technology, change is constant, and today, I’m excited to announce that Joomla 3 has gracefully exited the stage here at Onlinecommunityhub. While it may not be as iconic as Elvis, Joomla 3 has had its moment in the spotlight.
Welcoming Joomla 5
Starting August 17th, I’ve bid farewell to Joomla 3 as it reached its End of Life (EOL). This also marks the end of my support for Joomla 3 in my extensions. However, I have exciting news – I’m fully embracing Joomla 5, and my extensions are now being designed and developed with Joomla 5 support in mind.
The Reason behind the transition
I understand that many websites still rely on Joomla 3, and this transition might raise questions. Allow me to explain why I've made this decision from a technical (developer) perspective.
Technical advancements in Joomla 4
From a technical standpoint, Joomla 3 had accumulated technical debt and was overdue for updates and new development techniques in PHP. Joomla 4 introduced significant technical improvements, such as PHP namespaces and the usage of Service Providers. While namespaces were back-ported to Joomla 3, the usage of Service Providers were not.
Introducing Joomla 5
Joomla 5, set to release on October 17th, 2023, is the culmination of what in my opinion Joomla 4 aimed to achieve but couldn't due to resource limitations. It offers a massive cleanup of old code and aligns with new coding choices, though again, due to limited resources Joomla 5 also remains a work in progress.
Supporting my extensions
Now, the question is, do I, as a developer, want to utilize these newer features like Namespaces and Service Providers? While technically not necessary for Joomla 4, I've chosen to embrace these enhancements to provide you with the best possible extensions. This means that my extensions will now exclusively support Joomla 4 and Joomla 5.
The benefits for you
What this means for you, my valued customer, is that you will receive extensions that perform optimally, are actively maintained, and are secure. I Don't rely on extra layers for compatibility, ensuring a seamless experience.
Looking ahead with Joomla 5
As the release of Joomla 5 rapidly approaches, I’m committed to staying at the forefront of technology. While my extensions will be available for Joomla 4.3+ and not earlier versions, this choice allows me to harness the latest Joomla features effectively.
Your role in the transition
I believe it's essential for both developers and website builders to actively embrace the latest Joomla technologies and maintain their sites and keep extensions up to date. Many of our customers have already migrated to Joomla 4.3, the latest version, while those on Joomla 4.2 are planning their move.
Parting thoughts
In conclusion, Joomla 3 has officially left the building, making way for the exciting future that Joomla 5 brings. As you explore extensions for Joomla 5, remember that the "Behaviour - Backward Compatibility" plugin should ideally be seen as the "Enable Abandoned Extensions" plugin. If an extension requires it to function on Joomla 5, it may be time to consider alternatives that offer the desired functionality without compromise.
The transition from Joomla 3 to Joomla 5 brings about exciting changes for both developers and website builders. What are your thoughts on the decision to embrace Joomla 5 and focus on the latest Joomla technologies in extensions? How do you see this affecting the performance, maintenance, and security of your Joomla-based websites? Share your perspectives on the importance of staying up-to-date with evolving technologies in the Joomla ecosystem.