Versions Behind Latest Release:Readable “How Many Versions Behind” for PHP, Core, Theme,and Plugins
Staying current isn’t just about security—it keeps your site fast,stable,and compatible. “Versions Behind Latest Release”gives you a plain‑Englishsnapshot of how far each part of your stack is behind the latest stable version.
What the output looks like
· php: “Up to date”or “N minor”, “N major”, “N patch”
· wordpress: “Up to date”or “N minor/major/patch”
· theme:“Up to date” or “N minor/major/patch”
· plugins:
· “Up to date”if all active plugins are current
· Or a comma‑separated summary like “2major, 3 minor” (only non‑zero buckets shown)
Example outputs:
· php:Up to date
· wordpress: 1minor
· theme: 2patch
·plugins: 1 major, 4 minor
How it’s computed
·Compare your installed versions against the latest stable for:
· PHP, WordPress core,your active theme, and all active plugins
·For each,we determine how many versions behind you are and the type (major/minor/patch)
·If you’re fully current,you’ll see “Up to date”
How to interpret it
·Up to date: Great hygiene;keep your cadence.
·Patch behind: Low risk;safe to batch in routine maintenance.
· Minor behind:Plan an update soon to avoid compounding drift.
·Major behind: Prioritize;review breaking changes and test in staging.
Why this view matters
·Actionable at a glance: Tellsyou exactly “how far behind” per component.
· Prioritizes effort:Major gaps in core/theme/plugins deserve earlier attention.
·Prevents cascading issues:Staying current avoids compatibility surprises.
What to do next
·Tackle major gaps first (plugins and theme often yield quick wins).
· Update WordPress core to the latest minor/major as appropriate.
·Plan PHP upgrades in staging;verify plugin/theme compatibility.
· Adopt a monthly update window;auto‑apply safe minors where possible.
Quick scenarios
·“plugins: 3 major”:Replace or update those plugins now;check vendor status.
·“wordpress: 1 minor, theme:Up to date, php: Up to date”:Apply the core update this sprint.
·All “Up to date”:You’re in great shape—maintain your schedule.
This output turns version drift into an immediate,human‑readable cue. Close the biggest gaps first,and you’ll improve security, stability,and your overall Site Vigil Rating.