OpenLampTech No. 186
MySQL variables | The FAIR project | MCP Servers | Multi-join SQL queries | Not a valid JSON response WordPress error
Thank you for reading the OpenLampTech newsletter!
If someone awesome shared this newsletter with you and you are not yet subscribed, please use the Subscribe button below and join:
OpenLampTech has sponsorship opportunities for your brand, product, service, or job listing in the weekly newsletter.
As an independent publication, collaboration is very affordable.
[Shout-out]
Do give my friend Rick Rouse’s fantastic newsletter, Rick's Tech Tips Newsletter, a follow. Rick publishes some of the best, up-to-date tech tips and information.
All commentary on the below curated content is mine unless otherwise directly quoted.
Beyond the Basics: Digging into MySQL Variables
If you're programming with other languages, you're likely already familiar with variables.
MySQL variables can be used for (temp) storage and retrieval, database performance, and dynamic SQL (through parameterized queries), to name just a few.
MySQL supports user-defined variables and system variables.
Session variables and global variables are types of variables similar in nature but with different scopes and access.
[Releem / Roman Agabekov]
How to Fix “Updating Failed. The Response is Not a Valid JSON Response”
I've experienced this (aggravating) WordPress error just a couple of times, and I can't remember exactly what the underlying issue was for those cases.
Unfortunately, this error can originate from several sources, and both new and old WordPress sites alike are susceptible.
This article provides an overview of several reasons why your site may be experiencing this error and how to resolve them.
Interesting Troubleshooting of a MySQL Crash : filling then freeing the disk
I like the ring of the truth from this quote in the source article:
“And because the answer is (almost) always in the logs, here is what they contain :”
Based on my understanding of the article's content, a large TRANSACTION was filling binary logs, which consumed the disk space (from spill over), then in turn caused MySQL to crash.
[J-F Gagné's MySQL Blog]
This is huge for WordPress, and I'm all for it.
With the turmoil of the last several months, something like this is needed.
I do think adoption is key for FAIR to really make a positive impact in the ecosystem, and I personally think it will over the long haul.
As I think more about it now, the Advanced Custom Fields and Secure Custom Fields issue maybe could have been avoided had there been alternative, decentralized repositories.
FAIR aims to provide a means through a plugin in which users can still receive plugin, theme, and WordPress core updates without sole reliance or dependency on WordPress(dot)org.
Time will tell how FAIR fairs (😜).
[The Repository]
What are MCP Servers, and why should I care?
I am 💯 onboard with the advancement of usable AI.
Instead of copy/paste, if AI can access and understand the relevant code base, all the better.
Here is a great description of what MCP is, quoted from the source article:
“Think of it as a standardized API that lets AI models peek into your actual development environment rather than just giving generic advice.”
[Just Steve King]
Multi-join queries design: investigation
I'm glad to know that others notice AI's can and do make the same mistakes we do.
I've written in the past about COUNT(*) vs COUNT(col_name or expression) (Medium friend link) and their differences. Similar concepts are mentioned in this article as well.
Learn more multi-join query goodness, tips, and some snags along the way.
In general, aggregation and LEFT JOINS have the potential to cause some real headaches if not handled correctly.
Something that always trips me up with SQL is that there are often multiple ways to do things (e.g., CTE, subquery, correlated subquery, etc.).
[Minimal Modeling]
WooCommerce and WordPress news and updates
WooCommerce 9.9: It’s fast, period. (June 9th, 2025)
WooCommerce 9.9.1 – 9.9.3: Dot Release (June 9th, 2025)
Call for feedback: Introducing settings import/export with Blueprints (June 9th, 2025)
Developer advisory: Deprecation notice for unsupported WooCommerce npm packages (June 10th, 2025)
What’s new for developers? (June 2025)
Thank you for reading OpenLampTech. I hope you have a great rest of your week.
Take care.
Josh Otwell
Some links may be affiliate links from which I earn a small commission at no additional cost.