OpenLampTech issue #117
Translating database queries | WooCommerce variations meta fields | PHP shortcodes in WordPress | SQLite instead of MySQL or PostgreSQL? | Database first approach.
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All commentary is mine unless otherwise quoted.
This is a topic that doesn't get enough coverage or discussion. And, one that I'm very interested in as a “SQL person”. The differences in different SQL implementations syntax. Many vendors accomplish the same functionality but with different syntax and commands. This is especially challenging if you're working with multiple SQL vendors and using raw SQL instead of ORM methods (where applicable, of course). While I haven't used it, EsProc looks to be a promising tool (actually a programming language) that can translate multiple vendor's SQL syntaxes
[dev.to]
Drupal Creator: Websites Needed More Than Ever in the AI Era
This is a great piece covering a lot of what's going on with the web and Generative AI these days. While opinionated, there are a lot of valid points here. Something to think about that I have yet to think about is this: if someone can get an answer from ChatGPT, what incentive do they have to search Google and (potentially) land on your site? I love this insight: provide better content on your web properties that are gated but not necessarily pay-walled (although that is, of course, an option).
[The New Stack]
Add Custom Meta Fields to WooCommerce Variations
It's tough to beat the flexibility of WooCommerce. But, that can be a double-edged sword too. However, for the most part, you can customize WooCommerce to your heart's content.
Many products have variations with additional information not typically found across a standard set of product fields. You can create these extra fields and populate and save them from the product Admin area using custom PHP code. See examples for each required step in this article.
[Kathy Is Awesome]
Is it time to ditch MySQL and PostgreSQL for SQLite?
I honestly don't think so. Although I like to think of SQLite as the “little database engine that could”, I'm not 100 % sure it can flat-out replace either MySQL or PostgreSQL. One of the major pros in my opinion is if you go with SQLite, then it is just there and available by default for most programming languages (like PHP and Python). In other words, SQLite is packed up and included with the programming language. So no database server to set up and manage in your stack somewhere. Now how cool would that be?
GitHub Upgrades its MySQL Infrastructure from v5.7 to 8.0
I'm quite surprised GitHub was still using MySQL v5.7 when v8 has so many upgrades and features. Plus, v5.7 has reached End of Life (EoL). From a usability perspective, there is a world of difference between using an SQL implementation that supports features such as Window Functions and Common Table Expressions to one that doesn't. MySQL v8 brings character set and user role changes as well among others.
[InfoQ]
Combine shortcode & php in Flatsome
I'm hoping every day when I devote what time I have to learning custom WordPress and WooCommerce development, that it is not for naught. There seems to be a great divide with Full Site Editing (FSE) and block-based theme development moving away from PHP-based coding in traditional themes. However, it is always a breath of fresh air to see others still using good old PHP and WordPress shortcodes.
Introducing Gaido: Your Go-To Drupal Development Guide
I don't think something like this is necessarily a bad idea. I just know from my own experience that AI like ChatGPT and Bard, should be used accordingly and with moderation. I've gotten a mixed bag (some of which is garbage) of results from these AI. And, to be fair, I'd be remiss if I didn't say that I like the idea (or entertaining the idea) of using tools like ChatGPT and Bard for coding and/or research assistants.
I like this sentence quoted directly from the source on some of the benefits of Gaido:
“Users can seek guidance, pose queries, and promptly receive code-related tips.”
[The Drop Times]
Why developers should put the database first
Preaching to the choir here. There's a whole lot more to an application than just the programming language (PHP in my case). Data is everything. Data is everywhere. You are going to store it and use it somehow in the application. Figure that out first.
This article has several suggestions to take a database-first approach including starting (in the right circumstances) with SQLite. I also hold the opinion of foregoing typical database stack bundling (sorry but as much as we love the LAMP stack - pointing fingers here) instead of an appropriate solution based on needs - not convenience.
[Tech Exec]
I’m trying to get more involved with WordPress and WooCommerce from a developer perspective. For the most part, Twitter drama is a dumpster fire. The goods are in the spaces though and I enjoyed this one I sat in on this week.
https://x.com/i/spaces/1OyKAWnAWngJb
WooCommerce News and Updates
WooCommerce Developer Documentation
Thank you for reading. I hope you have a great rest of your week.
Take care.
Josh Otwell
OpenLampTech is a reader-supported publication. You can support the publication with a virtual coffee for as little as $3 (USD).
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