ExpressionEngine 6 Update

We know it’s been awhile since our last post on ExpressionEngine 6, so we wanted to give a quick high level update on what we’ve been up to and where we’re heading from here. We have more in-depth posts planned on a few of these topics as well.

Alpha

Since our last update a lot of things have moved forward. For starters, we’ve just wrapped up our Alpha testing with a VERY small group of add-on developers. From the start of our work on the ExpressionEngine core, a large goal of ours has been to make the update from version 5 to 6 as easy as possible for add-on developers. As such, one of the items we were looking to accomplish with the Alpha was to identify pain points in upgrading add-ons while we still have a window of time to make it as painless as possible. We were able to identify an area or two that needed additional attention and documentation. But based on the feedback we received, and our own experience, add-ons are fairly easy to update.

Based on the feedback we received, and our own experience, add-ons are fairly easy to update.

Nearing Completion

When we acquired ExpressionEngine the new control panel design for version 6 was in good shape (and a massive overhaul from the previous CP). However there were a few areas that needed polishing, finishing, and implementation. In the last few months we’ve taken large steps on this front, and are giving the whole interface a once over for consistency. This is currently coming to completion.

We’ve refactored, implemented, reviewed for user experience and re-implemented a new version of the entry listing screen which is also currently in the final stages of development. There after it will be given a final user experience and interface review and should be considered complete.

We’ve done a refactoring / rewriting of the core integration tests, and are currently working to complete an in-depth testing of the migration from member groups to the new roles based system when upgrading ExpressionEngine 5 to 6.

Under the hood, the core has also been re name spaced and a few folders moved around. More specifically to remove the Ellislab namespace, and maintain backwards compatibility for third party code relying on the old namespaces.

Whats next?

While several of the above items are currently being finished up, we also have a team working on ExpressionEngine 5.4. The 5.4 release will include a greatly simplified method of upgrading ExpressionEngine sites. Most specifically upgrading directly from version 2 to 5.4 without having to stop at version 3 or 4 and the ability for add-ons to hook into the upgrade process and run updates at specific versions as needed, as well as the base of a new and more powerful CLI (Command Line Interface). Once this is completed, along with the items above, we’ll enter an official beta period.

It is our hope and intention that since add-ons require minimal updates to support ExpressionEngine 6, the release will be shortly thereafter.