Upgrading from Drupal 8 to 9, and then onto 10 and 11, is a solid way to ensure your site stays current, secure, and full of the latest features. But each step has its unique requirements and quirks. Let’s break down how to go through these upgrades smoothly.
Moving from Drupal 8 to 9
The jump from Drupal 8 to Drupal 9 is one of the easiest of the series since Drupal 9 essentially builds on Drupal 8’s framework. However, there are still key tasks to keep in mind.
- Check Your Modules: Since Drupal 9 dropped some older APIs, your first task is to audit the site for any deprecated modules or code that needs updating. Most popular Drupal 8 modules already have compatible versions for Drupal 9, but it's good to double-check.
- Revise Custom Code: Any custom code that uses outdated functions will need tweaking to run smoothly on Drupal 9. Tools like Drupal Check and Upgrade Status make it easy to spot deprecated code. You can also use Rector, an automated tool, to transform outdated code into Drupal 9-compatible code, saving you time and effort.
- Update Drupal Core: Once you’ve verified your custom code and modules, it’s time to update Drupal Core to 9.x. This is typically a straightforward step since the changes are mostly under the hood, keeping the transition from 8 to 9 relatively smooth.
Going from Drupal 9 to 10
The upgrade to Drupal 10 brings exciting new features along with some notable changes, particularly with Symfony and CKEditor.
- Symfony Update: Drupal 10 runs on Symfony 6 (upgraded from Symfony 4 in Drupal 9), which boosts performance, security, and long-term support. Since Symfony is a key backbone for Drupal, this upgrade is a big win for speed and functionality.
- CKEditor Revamp: Drupal 10 replaces CKEditor 4 with CKEditor 5, giving users a better editing experience, improved accessibility, and new plugin options. If you have customized configurations for CKEditor 4, you may need to reconfigure and test them to work with the new version.
- Fresh Themes: Drupal 10 debuts two new themes — Olivero and Claro — that give the interface a fresh look. If your site uses custom themes, you may need to tweak them to match the updated style standards of Drupal 10.
- Upgrade Process: Once custom modules, themes, and third-party libraries are compatible, the update itself is straightforward. Use Drush or Composer to bring Drupal Core up to version 10, and you’re all set.
Drupal 11 was released on August 2, 2024, with further security, performance, and user experience enhancements. Here’s what to look forward to:
- AI and Workflow Automation: Drupal 11 is set to integrate AI and machine learning for tasks like content recommendations, SEO optimization, and workflow automation. These tools can make content creation and management easier and smarter.
- Managing Deprecations: Like previous upgrades, Drupal 11 will continue to phase out older libraries and deprecated code. Regularly updating your modules and custom code helps future-proof your site and makes transitions smoother.
- Better User Experience: Drupal 11 will likely make improvements to media management, editorial workflows, and site-building tools to streamline the platform for both developers and non-technical users.
- Upgrade Preparation: As you look ahead to Drupal 11, it’s helpful to start checking your custom code for compatibility early. Tools like Drupal Rector can help with this, letting you make small updates over time to keep your code in line with Drupal’s evolving standards.
Each upgrade from Drupal 8 to 11 brings new possibilities for functionality, security, and ease of use. Staying proactive about module compatibility and custom code updates ensures that your site will be well-positioned to take advantage of the latest and greatest Drupal has to offer.
