OpenLampTech No. 194
WordPress theme.json | Relational databases might not always be the right tool | Custom database tables in WordPress | MySQL ONLY_FULL_GROUP_BY mode | PHP pipe operator
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All commentary on the below curated content is mine unless otherwise directly quoted.
Mastering theme.json: You might not need CSS
This article was published in October of 2024, but I feel like it is still relevant to the direction WordPress and FSE are headed.
I am not that great with CSS. Equally, I'm not that familiar with theme.json or block theme development either.
I think it's worth at least having some familiarity with block themes and how they can be styled using theme.json moving forward, as this phase of WordPress continues to evolve.
[WordPress Developer Blog]
Understanding MySQL's ONLY_FULL_GROUP_BY mode
This can be a sleeper if you aren't aware of it.
Understanding GROUP BY and aggregation in SQL are fundamentals.
Older MySQL versions were somewhat different when using this mode.
As is covered in this article, it is a better idea to update queries to conform to (standard SQL) functionality instead of disabling the ONLY_FULL_GROUP_BY mode.
[Mastering Laravel / Joel Clermont]
Custom Database Tables in WordPress, and When To Use Them
I recently created a custom plugin for raffle entries and utilized a custom database table to store the form data.
I may get some kickback from others more experienced in WordPress development, but the database is already quite complex.
I am not in favor of just piggybacking off the post table.
There are many solid points and considerations raised in this excellent article.
Overall, no one solution fits all use cases or covers every situation.
When Your Relational Database Isn’t the Right Tool Anymore
“Time series databases aren't replacing SQL; they're solving a specific problem that SQL databases weren't designed for.”
Different tools are used for different jobs.
I've not encountered any time-related issues in any of the SQL databases I've used. But I also haven't used time series data of the magnitude found with specific services like sensor readings and Internet of Things devices.
[The New Stack]
PHP 8.5 Introduces Pipe Operator for Cleaner Function Chaining
This newest PHP version is set to release in November of 2025. One of the features for version 8.5 is the pipe operator: |>.
The pipe operator can be used for multiple function chaining, among other benefits.
It will allow developers to “pipe” the results from one function or expression, right into the next. This functionality reminds me of the pipe operator (|) often used in Linux Bash scripts and/or on the command line.
[WebProNews]
WordPress and WooCommerce News and Updates
Maintenance Releases for WordPress branches 4.7 to 6.7 (August 5th, 2025)
Thank you for reading OpenLampTech. I hope you have a great rest of your week.
Take care.
Josh Otwell