[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #57345: Bump the minimum required PHP version to 7.2

[WordPress Trac]

#57345: Bump the minimum required PHP version to 7.2
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 Reporter:  SergeyBiryukov                       |       Owner:  (none)
     Type:  task (blessed)                       |      Status:  new
 Priority:  normal                               |   Milestone:  Future
                                                 |  Release
Component:  General                              |     Version:
 Severity:  normal                               |  Resolution:
 Keywords:  has-patch has-unit-tests 2nd-        |     Focuses:
  opinion                                        |
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Comment (by jason_the_adams):

 As folks very fairly weigh the decision of bumping the minimum version in
 all its repercussions, I feel it's worth making a note regarding those
 "left behind".

 If WordPress were a SaaS, or something like, breaking backwards
 compatibility would mean the software is broken — truly leaving folks in a
 bad place. It worked, and not it doesn't. Sorry.

 WordPress, however, is distributed software. If a user has something
 (server specs, a plugin, etc.) preventing them from upgrading, then
 they're able to "safely" remain where they are. I say "safely" only to
 leave room for security updates, which don't actually apply here since
 security updates are applied to previous (to a point) versions of
 WordPress.

 With this in mind, many (most?) plugins and themes support multiple
 versions of WordPress. GiveWP for example (where I work) supports back to
 5.0 — as we have no reason not to. So, even if a user were to remain on an
 existing version of WordPress for a time, that doesn't necessarily even
 mean they can't update their plugins/themes. The plugins and themes
 themselves may choose to bump their minimum PHP version, of course, but
 many choose to do so now regardless of WP's official version.

 All this to say, I think it's important to consider that "left behind"
 users are not immediately put into a disadvantaged position. They can
 remain where they are, receive security updates, and choose to overcome
 the PHP hurdle if and when they are ready. :)

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/57345#comment:60>
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