[wp-trac] [WordPress Trac] #55121: classic widgets with no settings won't show up in 5.9

[WordPress Trac]

#55121: classic widgets with no settings won't show up in 5.9
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 Reporter:  joncampbell     |       Owner:  (none)
     Type:  defect (bug)    |      Status:  reopened
 Priority:  normal          |   Milestone:  5.9.2
Component:  Widgets         |     Version:  5.9
 Severity:  normal          |  Resolution:
 Keywords:  has-patch php8  |     Focuses:
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Comment (by jrf):

 Let me suggest a slightly different path (which I still don't agree with,
 but seems I'm fighting a losing battle against foolhardiness):

 * Update any and all developer docs/handbooks propagating the incorrect
 implementation of `WP_Widget` to show better code samples and to get rid
 of the incorrect code pattern.
 * Do **NOT** change the return type to include `null`. `array|false` is
 the documented expected type as per the above, so let's keep it that way.
 * Add a `_doing_it_wrong()` notice for when `null`is received, as plugins
 should still be fixed for this incorrect implementation.
 * Work around a received `null` value.

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Ticket URL: <https://core.trac.wordpress.org/ticket/55121#comment:20>
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