Updating php on Agency Pro

[dstrickland]

Hi,

I have a couple basic questions about updating php for the first time. I'm hoping for some simple answers to help me through the updating process. Please note, I am not a pro designer or tech. I have been designated as the "web site person" for my org and I do my best with creating a simple yet functional site for my org. Here is my site. http://www.efa-rep.org

This is my current setup:
* Agency Pro 3.1.14
* WordPress 5.4.2
* Genesis 3.3.2
*php 7.033.

I ran the PHP Compatibility Checker plugin. I found no issues with php 7.2, but several issues with Genesis and php 7.3.

I searched the forums and found similar issues that people had with 7.3. The answer, however, was to revise code. (See bottom on this post for the error warnings for 7.3) I don't understanding coding. The couple times I tried simple code changes, following others' step-by-step directions, I locked myself out of the backend, the site was blank, and I had to call the host to help me restore it. In other words, I'm not comfortable making code changes.

With that in mind: 1) should I upgrade to php 7.2 from 7.033? Is there any benefit to that? 2) My site is backed up. Do I just call my host (HostMonster) and ask them to upgrade to php 7.2? Is there anything else I need to do on my end?

Sorry for the basic questions and thank you for the assistance!

Genesis Error Warnings with php 7.3
FILE: /home2/efarepor/public_html/wp-content/themes/genesis/lib/functions/layout.php
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
FOUND 0 ERRORS AND 6 WARNINGS AFFECTING 6 LINES
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
614 | WARNING | Function name "__genesis_return_content_sidebar" is discouraged; PHP has reserved all method names with a double underscore prefix for future use.
629 | WARNING | Function name "__genesis_return_sidebar_content" is discouraged; PHP has reserved all method names with a double underscore prefix for future use.
644 | WARNING | Function name "__genesis_return_content_sidebar_sidebar" is discouraged; PHP has reserved all method names with a double underscore prefix for future use.
659 | WARNING | Function name "__genesis_return_sidebar_sidebar_content" is discouraged; PHP has reserved all method names with a double underscore prefix for future use.
674 | WARNING | Function name "__genesis_return_sidebar_content_sidebar" is discouraged; PHP has reserved all method names with a double underscore prefix for future use.
689 | WARNING | Function name "__genesis_return_full_width_content" is discouraged; PHP has reserved all method names with a double underscore prefix for future use.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

http://www.efa-rep.org

[AnitaC]

Yes you should update to the latest version of PHP. Your current version is not safe or receiving any security updates. You should be able to upgrade yourself in your account. But if that's not possible, you should reach out to Hostmonster to do it for you.

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Need help with customization or troubleshooting? Reach out to me.

[dstrickland]

Hi and thank you for the response Anita. To follow up, I understand the importance of upgrading, but I'm very concerned about breaking my site.

Are there known issues with Genesis/Agency Pro with upgrading to the latest version of PHP? I probably would not be able to fix any issues that happen if it required coding.
Thank you.

[Victor Font]

All of the Genesis sites on my dedicated server run PHP 7.3 or 7.4. No issues whatsoever. There are over 20 sites on that server.

If you're really concerned, clone your site to a development instance and upgrade the dev instance to your target PHP version. You'll learn very quickly of there are problems. If there are issues, it will be with plugins, not WordPress, Genesis, or Agency Pro unless you child theme has custom code using deprecated functions. If your theme is vanilla, meaning no custom code, you won't have a problem.

Besides, if there is a problem, just roll back to an earlier PHP version.

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Regards,

Victor
https://victorfont.com/
Call us toll free: 844-VIC-FONT (842-3668)
Have you requested your free website audit yet?

[dstrickland]

Thank you very much Victor.

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