Drupal 8.7.0 was released on 1st May 2019. Apart from bug fixes and dependency updates, Drupal 8.7 facilitates creating page layouts and media management. Decoupled web experiences are now easier to manage and deliver, saving production time and effort.
JSON:API at Core - facilitates Decoupling
JavaScript Object Notation(JSON) is an open data format and syntax to exchange and store data, widely accepted as preferred data exchange used in web services, especially RESTful services.
JSON:API is a specification for how a client should request that resources be fetched or modified, and how a server should respond to those requests.
The latest Drupal 8.7 update includes JSON:API as a part of the Drupal core. This makes Drupal an API first platform for building both decoupled and omnichannel experiences. It facilitates building REST APIs in JSON through which a Drupal website can share its data with modern JavaScript Framework like React, Angular and other interfaces like Alexa, Chatbots, etc.
Functionality:
Benefits:
Stable Layout Builder - effortless Layout creation
The Stable Layout Builder was released with Drupal 8.6 as an experimental module and is now stabilized in Drupal 8.7.
Functionality:
Benefits:
The Layout Builder powerful when combined with Drupal's out-of-the-box features such as revisioning, content moderation, and translations.
Watch the Demo of Drupal 8 Layout Builder here!
Media Library - better media experiences
Drupal 8.6 had Media Library in the Drupal core, which was a part of Media Initiative.
Media and the Media Library, have acquired best functionalities from a couple of contributed modules. Introducing amazing functionalities like reusable media, media types, media fields, and more. ​Drupal 8.7 Media Library comes with a new and easy to use user interface, making it easier to work with.
Benefits:
There are Third-party library updates available in Drupal 8.7.0:
Other updates you can find in Drupal 8.7 are:
Internet Explorer 9 and 10 will not be supported in Drupal 8.7
The 8.7.0 release is a final goodbye to Internet Explorer 9 and 10. It removes a workaround that still existed in D8.5 and D8.6 Issue link: Internet Explorer 9 and 10 support dropped from Drupal 8.4.x
Goodbye PHP 5 support
Drupal 8.7 is the last release to support PHP 5. Updates for existing websites that use PHP 5 are still possible, but a warning will be displayed. In release 8.8, Drupal security updates will require PHP 7.
Entity updates will not be automatic
In new Drupal 8.7.0 release, the support for automatic entity updates has been removed. The reason is data integrity issues and conflicts. So the drush entity: updates (drush entup) command no longer works. Changes to entities will now be performed using standard update procedures.
Symfony 4 and 5 compatibility issues resolved
Additionally, numerous critical Symfony 4 and 5 compatibility issues are resolved in this release.
Changes to base themes (Stable, Classy)
This release includes some small changes to the core's base themes (Stable, Classy). Themes that extend one of these base themes should review the following changes. JavaScript messages template changes. Pager CSS ID changed from "pagination-heading" to a unique ID.
These Drupal upgrades are gradually getting us ready for Drupal 9. If you have questions regarding Drupal upgrades we are here to help. Drop us a word at business@qed42.com.