The Latest Drupal 10–What You Need to Know

Introduction

The long-awaited release of Drupal 10 was announced on December 15, 2022! This major release includes many new features and improvements, including a new media management experience, a revamped user interface, and a new approach to content modelling.

API changes in Drupal 10 will also make it easier for developers to create websites and applications that are more responsive and user-friendly. And as always, Drupal 10 is backwards-compatible with earlier versions of Drupal, making upgrading a seamless process.

In this article, we’ll explore some of Drupal 10  latest major releases of the popular open-source content management system (CMS), and it comes with a number of exciting new features and improvements. Here are some of the highlights:

• Symfony 6:

Drupal 10 is built on top of the Symfony 6 PHP framework, which provides a solid foundation for building modern web applications. This upgrade will bring performance improvements and enhanced security features.

• Removal of Deprecated Code: 

Deprecated code from Drupal 8 will be completely removed in Drupal 10, making it more streamlined and efficient. This means that Drupal 10 will no longer include code that is considered outdated or obsolete, reducing technical debt and making it easier to maintain the platform over time.

• Updated Dependencies:

Drupal 10 will have updated dependencies, including Twig 3, PHPUnit 9, and Guzzle 7. This will bring improvements in terms of performance, security, and stability.

• Improved Migration: 

Drupal 10 will make it easier to migrate content and configuration from earlier versions of Drupal, making the upgrade process smoother. The migration process will be more streamlined and easier to understand, with better documentation and tooling.

• Enhanced Multilingual Support:

Drupal 10 will have better support for multilingual sites, including improvements to translation workflows and language detection. This will allow users to easily create and manage sites in multiple languages, improving accessibility and reach.

• Improved User Interface: 

Drupal 10 will have a refreshed administrative UI, making it easier and more intuitive to use. This will help users to manage content and configuration more efficiently, reducing the learning curve and improving productivity.

• Accessibility Improvements: 

Drupal 10 will include accessibility improvements, making it easier for users with disabilities to access and use Drupal-powered websites. This will help to create more inclusive and accessible web experiences, improving the overall user experience.

• Improved Performance: 

Drupal 10 will have improved performance and scalability, with faster page load times and better caching. This will make it easier to build large and complex websites, improving user experience and reducing bounce rates.

What’s new in Drupal 10?

One of the biggest changes in Drupal 10 is the new media management experience. Media entities are now part of Drupal core, which means uploading, embedding, and managing media files—such as images, audio, and video—will be easier than before.

The Edit Media feature also allows users to edit image files directly from the browser. Along with the media management changes, the latest version of Drupal also introduces a revamped user interface, with new buttons for quickly navigating between content, media, and other features.

The UI of other features has also been modernized, such as in the Content Model Builder—previously known as the Entity Construction Kit—to make it easier to create custom content types, fields, and relationships between them.

In addition, Drupal 10 introduces a new approach to content modelling, known as GraphQL API, which makes it easier to query, read, and update content. GraphQL API enables developers to quickly and easily create complex websites and applications.

Upgrading to Drupal 10 will require careful planning and preparation, especially if you are currently running an earlier version of Drupal. Here are some key steps to consider:

1. Check compatibility: Before upgrading to Drupal 10, you should check the compatibility of your current site and any contributed modules or themes that you are using. Some modules or themes may not be compatible with Drupal 10, so you may need to update or replace them before upgrading.
2. Backup your site: Before making any changes to your site, it is important to create a backup so that you can easily restore your site if anything goes wrong.
3. Plan the upgrade: Upgrading to Drupal 10 will require careful planning and preparation. You should create a detailed plan that includes a timeline, a list of tasks, and a testing strategy.
4. Test the upgrade: Before upgrading your production site, you should test the upgrade on a staging or development site. This will allow you to identify any issues or conflicts before making the changes on your live site.
5. Upgrade your site: Once you have tested the upgrade and are confident that everything is working correctly, you can proceed with upgrading your production site.
6. Monitor and troubleshoot: After upgrading your site, you should monitor it closely and be prepared to troubleshoot any issues that arise. You may need to update or replace certain modules or themes or make other adjustments to ensure that your site is functioning properly.

Other noteworthy changes in Drupal 10

In addition to the changes to media management and content modeling, Drupal 10 also includes a number of other noteworthy changes. These include a new update manager, which allows websites to automatically check for available updates, as well as performance and speed improvements. Drupal 10 also features built-in support for web services, such as OAuth and OpenID Connect, making it easier to integrate with external services.

Finally, Drupal 10 also includes accessibility improvements, such as optimized markup and labels, which will make it easier for people with disabilities to navigate websites powered by Drupal.

This is especially important considering the recent trend toward developing websites with an audience in mind, as well as the increasing importance of complying with laws, such as the new ADA regulations.

How can you upgrade to Drupal 10?

The good news is that upgrading to Drupal 10 is easier than ever. Since Drupal 10 is backwards-compatible with older versions, the process should be relatively straightforward. To upgrade, it’s best to use a third-party migration service.

This ensures that your website will work properly after the upgrade and is generally faster than doing it yourself. It’s also a good idea to back up your website before starting the upgrade process, as well as test the upgrade in a staging environment to make sure everything works as expected.

Conclusion

The release of Drupal 10 marks an exciting time for website owners and developers alike. The new media management system, GraphQL API, modernized UIs, and other improvements will make it easier for developers to create more responsive and user-friendly websites.

For website owners, it’s worth considering upgrading to Drupal 10, as it presents a unique opportunity to take advantage of the latest technology and ensure your website stays secure.

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