[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #54572: Add a function for updating the existing role instead of removing, then adding one

[WordPress Trac]

#54572: Add a function for updating the existing role instead of removing, then
adding one
--------------------------+-----------------------------
 Reporter:  maksimkuzmin  |      Owner:  (none)
     Type:  enhancement   |     Status:  new
 Priority:  normal        |  Milestone:  Awaiting Review
Component:  General       |    Version:  trunk
 Severity:  normal        |   Keywords:
  Focuses:  performance   |
--------------------------+-----------------------------
 While I was working on and developing multiple themes and plugins, I often
 needed to update the existing role after using `add_role` function.

 Say, I already have a role `picture_admin`. I might want to alter its
 display name, or capabilities as an array, or both at once. What I'm
 forced to do now is this (not taking peculiar ways of editing wp_options
 table in account):

 {{{#!php
 <?php

 remove_role( 'picture_admin' );
 add_role( 'picture_admin', $display_name, $capabilities );
 }}}

 This code has multiple issues. First, I'll have to perform double query to
 MySQL database, which affects performance and doesn't feel right to me.
 Second, I won't be able to alter just one field as easily with one
 function, I need to carry out the old variable for either display name or
 capabilities every time I call this statement.

 Instead, I propose having a neat way of easily updating roles via the
 following statement:

 {{{#!php
 <?php

 update_role( $role_name, 'New Display Name', $caps );
 // or
 update_role( $role_name, null, $caps );
 // or
 update_role( $role_name, 'New Display Name' );
 }}}

 Which also creates a role if it doesn't exist already.

-- 
Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/54572>
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