FSE Introduction and PHP Unit Testing Introduction

Summary: Learning about Full Site Editing in WordPress, Multisite / Network in WordPress and PHP unit Testing Introduction.

FSE Introduction

Full site editing is a set of new WordPress features focusing on using blocks for all parts of a website, not just the content area.

It lets you effortlessly create page layouts, design site headers, and reuse block patterns. The new blocks cover essential elements like the site title, featured image, comments form, and user login/logout.

You can style blocks using site-wide defaults, adjust them individually in the editor, or configure them with the new theme.json file.

Advantages of FSE

Efficient Design Process: Customize different elements in one place.
Unified Editing Experience: No need to switch between the Customizer and Site Editor.
Minimal Custom Code Dependency: Extensive customization options reduce the need for custom code.
Block-Based Customization: Use blocks for an intuitive and visual design process.
Global Editing: Apply changes site-wide for consistency.

Using FSE: To access FSE, update your WordPress to version 5.9 or later and activate a compatible theme like Twenty Twenty-Four. The editor allows you to work with templates, template parts, and global styles, providing a cohesive and branded look across your website.

Templates

A block template is defined as a list of block items. Such blocks can have predefined attributes, placeholder content, and be static or dynamic. Block templates allow specifying a default initial state for an editor session.

Block Themes

Block themes are the modern method of building WordPress themes. They generally follow a standard set of conventions and are built entirely out of blocks. This handbook will primarily focus on building themes using this method because it is the future of the WordPress project.

Block themes rely on HTML-based block templates that contain block markup. Both creators and users can edit the templates in the Site Editor. Users can also customize global settings and styles defined by the theme’s theme.json file through the Styles interface.

The Difference Between Reusable Blocks, Block Patterns, Templates & Template Parts

Explaining the Difference:

Reusable Blocks: Individual or group blocks that can be saved and reused across different posts or pages.
Block Patterns: Predefined groups of blocks arranged in a specific layout, useful for quick design implementation.
Templates: Full-page layouts that define the structure of a page.
Template Parts: Reusable sections of a template, like headers or footers, that can be used across different templates.

Identifying Block Types:

Reusable Blocks: Use for consistent content like call-to-actions or contact information.
Block Patterns: Use for structured layouts, like testimonials or galleries.
Templates: Use for overall page structure.
Template Parts: Use for sections like headers and footers that are consistent across pages.

WordPress Multisite / Network

WordPress Multisite, also known as WordPress Network, is a feature that allows you to run multiple WordPress sites from a single installation. This is especially useful for businesses, educational institutions, or anyone who wants to manage multiple websites under one roof.

Centralized Management:

With WordPress Multisite, you can manage multiple websites from a single WordPress dashboard. This includes themes, plugins, and user management across the network.

Shared Resources:

All sites in a Multisite network share the same WordPress core files, themes, and plugins. This can simplify updates and maintenance since you only need to update these resources once for the entire network.

User Roles and Permissions:

You can assign different roles and permissions to users across the network. For example, a Super Admin can manage the entire network, while individual site admins can manage only their specific site.

Customization and Individualization:

While themes and plugins can be shared across the network, individual sites can still have their own settings and customizations. This means each site can have a unique look and feel while still being part of the same network.

Scalability:

WordPress Multisite is scalable, making it ideal for organizations that plan to expand their number of sites over time. You can add new sites to the network without needing a new WordPress installation.

Domain Mapping:

You can assign custom domain names to individual sites within the network, making it possible to have unique URLs for each site while still managing them from a single dashboard.

Introduction to PHP Unit Testing

Unit testing is a crucial practice in software development, allowing developers to verify the functionality of individual units of code. PHPUnit is a widely-used framework in the PHP ecosystem that facilitates this process.

What is Unit Testing?

Unit testing involves testing the smallest parts of an application, such as functions or methods, in isolation. This approach ensures that each component works correctly and helps identify bugs early in the development process. Unlike traditional testing, which may test the entire application as a whole, unit testing focuses on individual units, making it easier to pinpoint specific issues.

Why Use PHPUnit?

PHPUnit is a powerful tool for PHP developers, providing a rich set of assertions to test code behavior. It supports Test-Driven Development (TDD), where tests are written before the code, promoting better design and reducing bugs by 40-80%.

Getting Started with PHPUnit

To start using PHPUnit, install it via Composer:

composer require --dev phpunit/phpunit

Writing First Test

Let’s consider a simple example with a Calculator class:

class Calculator {
    public function add($a, $b) {
        return $a + $b;
    }
}

And the corresponding test:

use PHPUnit\Framework\TestCase;

class CalculatorTest extends TestCase {
    public function testAdd() {
        $calculator = new Calculator();
        $result = $calculator->add(2, 3);
        $this->assertEquals(5, $result);
    }
}

In this test, we check if the add method correctly sums two numbers. PHPUnit provides detailed feedback on test results, helping to quickly identify issues.