Drupal Release: 8.6.0-rc1

TL;DR

Drupal 8.6.0-rc1: Stability Improvements and Bug Fixes

This release candidate (RC1) for Drupal 8.6.0 focuses on stabilizing features and fixing bugs before the final 8.6.0 release. Key improvements include optimizations for database queries, fixes for the Media Library functionality, and various migration path enhancements. This RC addresses several critical issues found in the beta releases and improves overall stability. Site builders, developers, and module maintainers should test this release candidate to ensure compatibility with their sites and modules.

Highlight of the Release

• Fixed critical Media Library issues including reinstallation problems and selection persistence
• Optimized database query handling for improved performance
• Enhanced migration paths for various modules including RDF and content translation
• Improved accessibility with labeled checkboxes in workflow edit forms
• Standardized JavaScript code formatting using Prettier

Migration Guide

This release candidate includes several important migration-related fixes that may affect sites being migrated from Drupal 6 or 7:

1. For Drupal 6 migrations:

   • The d6_term_node_revision migration has been fixed to properly handle items that were previously ignored
   • Support for migrating temporary files has been removed
   • i18n has been removed from d6 $noUpgradePaths, allowing for proper migration of internationalization data

2. For Drupal 7 migrations:

   • An upgrade path for RDF 7.x has been added
   • Fixed issues with language content settings migration
   • Fixed warnings in EntityTranslationSettings when upgrading with Drush

3. General migration improvements:

   • Fixed system migration when content_translation is enabled

If you're in the process of migrating a site to Drupal 8, it's recommended to test your migration process with this release candidate to ensure these fixes resolve any issues you may have encountered.

Upgrade Recommendations

As this is a release candidate (RC1) for Drupal 8.6.0, it's primarily recommended for:

1. Testing environments: Site builders and developers should test this release candidate on non-production environments to identify any potential issues before the final 8.6.0 release.

2. Module developers: Module maintainers should test their modules against this release candidate to ensure compatibility with the upcoming 8.6.0 release.

3. Sites experiencing specific issues: If your site is experiencing any of the specific issues fixed in this release candidate (particularly Media Library or migration-related issues), you may consider upgrading to this RC to test if it resolves your problems.

For production sites, it's generally recommended to wait for the final 8.6.0 release unless you're experiencing critical issues that are fixed in this release candidate. If you do upgrade to this RC, be sure to have a complete backup and thorough testing plan in place.

Bug Fixes

• Media Library Fixes:

  • Fixed issue where reinstalling the media_library module didn't work properly
  • Resolved a problem where creating media with unlimited cardinality was broken
  • Fixed the Media Library field widget losing pre-existing selections when editing entities

• Migration Path Improvements:

  • Fixed d6_term_node_revision migration ignoring items it shouldn't
  • Added proper upgrade path for RDF 7.x
  • Fixed system migration when content_translation is enabled
  • Fixed warnings in EntityTranslationSettings when upgrading with Drush
  • Fixed language content settings migration from Drupal 7

• Entity and Database Handling:

  • Fixed entity query condition count functionality
  • Improved serialization handling for EntityType objects
  • Fixed StringTranslationTrait consumers serialization issues

• Test Framework:

  • Fixed duplicate aaa_update_test module
  • Fixed broken MediaUpdateTest
  • Fixed functional tests not using SIMPLETEST_DB environmental variable as expected

• User Interface:

  • Fixed unlabeled checkboxes for selecting bundles in workflow edit form
  • Fixed profile page's title/heading not fulfilling hook_user_format_name_alter

New Features

• JavaScript Formatting with Prettier: Core JavaScript is now formatted using Prettier, providing a standardized code style across the codebase. This improves code readability and maintainability.

• Enhanced Umami Demo Profile: The Umami demo profile received improvements to its header layout and responsive behavior, providing a better demonstration experience for new users.

• Updated Documentation: Media module descriptions have been edited to follow UI text standards, improving consistency and clarity in the admin interface.

Security Updates

No specific security fixes were mentioned in this release candidate. However, as with all Drupal updates, it's recommended to keep your site updated to ensure you have the latest security patches.

Performance Improvements

• Database Query Optimization: Improved handling of 'initial' and 'initial_from_field' in MySQL and PostgreSQL database drivers, resulting in more efficient query execution.

• Entity Query Optimization: Fixed entity query condition count functionality, which improves performance when querying entities with complex conditions.

• Code Cleanup: Removed skipped deprecations no longer triggered by tests, reducing overhead in the testing process.

• JavaScript Formatting: The standardization of JavaScript code using Prettier not only improves code readability but can also lead to more efficient code execution in some cases.

Impact Summary

Drupal 8.6.0-rc1 represents a significant step toward the stable 8.6.0 release, focusing on bug fixes and stability improvements rather than introducing major new features. The most notable impacts are in three key areas:

First, the Media Library module received several critical fixes that improve its reliability and usability, addressing issues with reinstallation, media creation with unlimited cardinality, and selection persistence when editing entities. These fixes make the Media Library more stable for production use.

Second, database and entity handling improvements optimize performance and fix several edge cases, particularly in entity queries and database operations. The removal of deprecated db_*() functions continues Drupal's modernization of its database layer.

Third, migration path enhancements fix several issues for sites upgrading from Drupal 6 or 7, particularly around term revisions, RDF, and content translation. These improvements make the migration process more reliable for complex sites.

Overall, this release candidate significantly improves stability and addresses key issues found during the beta phase, making Drupal 8.6 more robust for the upcoming stable release.