Drupal 9 was recently released. As you plan for installing the latest version of the web content management framework, you need to know a few things before proceeding. With an informed approach and the right processes, the Drupal 9 upgrade would be seamless. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the technical features and processes you need to consider before initiating the update process.
Web developers and website owners worldwide have been gearing up for updating their favorite web development framework. Many businesses are looking for reliable Drupal migration services for installing the latest version. If you have seen the Drupal 9 preview, you must have noticed that the core code completely matches with Drupal 8.9. The most striking changes in the code are related to deprecation. Drupal 9 removes deprecated code and third-party dependencies.
Requirements for Drupal 9 Upgrade
For compatibility with the updated code, you need to make some key changes. These changes will also allow you to streamline the content, SEO, and remove inefficient areas from your website. The new release also helps the Drupal community to expand the base of an open-source community of web developers.
Key changes in the Drupal 9 development environment include:
- More advanced versions of the PHP framework (PHP 7.3 and above) and databases.
- Updated versions of libraries (for Symfony and Twig).
- New libraries for jQuery and UI components of the CMS.
- MySQL 5.7, MariaDB 10.3.7, and PostgreSQL 10
- Drush 10, and Composer 1.9.1
Upgrading from Drupal 7
If you are using a Drupal 7-built website, the latest version, Drupal 9, will be a major update. It will also make future updates easier and faster. We suggest you first upgrade to Drupal 8 and then install the latest version. You can easily hire Drupal developers and get the desired updates.
Migration to Drupal 8 many seem complex there’s no direct upgrade with the existing codebase. You need to build a new website and then import your data. This also provides an opportunity to revamp and streamline your website.
Upgrading from Drupal 8
As mentioned earlier, upgrading to Drupal 9 from the most recent version, Drupal 8.9, is a seamless process. The core code of Drupal 8.9 matches completely with the new version. If you’re using the current release of Drupal 8, you’ll see some important improvements upon update. These include admin UI modernization, automatic updates, layout builder, migration management tools, and improved media management, among others.
How to Check Status & Update
The transition from Drupal 8 to 9 is built around deprecation. Hence, once the installation is complete, you no longer need to depend on deprecated codes. So, it’s important to keep all your modules updated. Since Drupal 9 doesn’t make any major changes to the core code od Drupal 8, the upgrading processes would be easier.
Before proceeding for the Drupal 9 upgrade, make sure that all your modules are up to date. You can check the status of existing modules by installing the ‘Upgrade Status’. This module will provide you with a report on the status of all your modules. It also scans your modules and notifies if any module has deprecated codes. This will significantly reduce your burden of finding out deprecated codes.
Non-composer-based installation
If you are using a website that’s not built on a composer, we suggest you convert it to composer based. With a composer, you can easily manage the Drupal CMS and its third-party dependencies. It not just saves your development times but also makes the update process easier. A composer offers wide-ranging benefits, including dependency management, semantic versioning, and patch tracking.
Here are the main steps for upgrading your website using a composer:
- Upgrade all contrib modules/themes to the latest version on Drupal 8.
- Export the latest copy of the configuration.
- Change the installation to a ‘composer-based install’.
- Copy custom codes, files, settings.php, and import the database.
Composer-based installation
If your website is already built on a composer, things become much easier. You just need to update the Drupal 8 core to the latest version. You also need to update the contributed modules and themes. If you are using custom modules and themes, check the deprecated codes APIs and incompatible codes. Then update the core to Drupal 9 and run update.php.
Wrapping Up
Drupal describes the latest version as a “cleaned-up version of Drupal 8.” The description tells a lot about this major release. With deprecated code and updated third-party dependencies, Drupal 9 makes your website faster, better, and more efficient. The latest release also resolved some Drupal core issues. If you’ve not updated or prepared for the installation yet, we hope this guide would be an impetus.
At Drupal India, a user experience-focused Drupal development company, we have helped many clients seamlessly complete every update and migration process. Our web development services are designed to strengthen your digital presence and drive business growth.
FAQs
Q. What does deprecated API mean?
A deprecated API is one that is no longer recommended to use. That’s due to changes in the API. While deprecated classes, methods, and fields are still implemented, they may be removed in future implementations. Hence you should not use them in new code, and if possible, rewrite the old code.
Q. Is Drupal frontend or backend?
Drupal is a content management system. It enables you to manage the content of your website with an in-built templating engine. You can also use Drupal as a framework to design and develop your website.
Q. How much does it cost to build a Drupal Website?
The development cost for a Drupal website depends on what kind of website you need. Costs are lower for a website with basic themes and features. If you need a high-performance site with more advanced features, the cost will be different. Drupal India offers competitive pricing for every kind of website and CMS development.
