[wp-meta] [Making WordPress.org] #4699: Provide compatible WP core updates depending on server PHP version from API

[Making WordPress.org]

#4699: Provide compatible WP core updates depending on server PHP version from API
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 Reporter:  afragen      |      Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement  |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal       |  Milestone:
Component:  API          |   Keywords:  needs-patch 2nd-opinion servehappy
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 There has been discussion regarding having users of older versions of WP
 be able to update to the best version of WP core that their server
 configuration can run. This seems to be primarily limited by the PHP
 version. Please refer to [https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/47797
 #47797] for background.

 Currently, if a user is running a version of PHP < 5.6.20 they can only
 install up to WP 5.1.x. However, the **Update Now** button will try to
 install the most current version of WP core, WP 5.2.2 at this moment.
 Unfortunately that results in a failure and there is no easy method of
 being able to upgrade to a **best** version.

 Part of the discussion, especially in Slack, was that in lieu of needing
 to backport the patch in #47797 it would be more robust to modify the API
 to return a similar response.

 A **best** version would correspond to the the most current version of WP
 that is capable of running/installing given the user's current server
 constraints.

 The patch for #47797 works by taking the API response for something like,
 https://api.wordpress.org/core/version-check/1.7/?php=5.3 and changes the
 `{ "response": "upgrade" }` to the `offer` that has the highest `version`
 that is less than or equal to the `?php=5.x` query arg.

 There are 3 obvious benefits.

 1. Users will be able to update to a more secure version of WP, in this
 case WP 5.1.x, with one click.
 2. WP 5.1.x includes the dashboard callout for updating to a more current
 version of PHP.
 3. This would reach every version of WP > 3.7 without the need for
 backporting.

 Pinging @azaozz and @sergeybiryukov

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Ticket URL: <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/4699>
Making WordPress.org <https://meta.trac.wordpress.org/>
Making WordPress.org