I need to develop plugin for wordpress.
Maybe you should build the plugin first and worry about distribution afterwards?
Just saying.
I want to create the possibility to update this plugin. I don’t what to put this plugin
on wordpress.org repository. I want to put this plugin on my server. Is it possible?
If you think about the fact the WordPress.org only distributes free plugins, while there are thousands of commercial plugins out there… there HAS TO BE a way for commercial plugins to distribute and update their plugins outside WordPress.org, else these commercial plugins wouldn’t exist.
Yes, you are right. Do you know where can I get information on how to do it?
I manage several sites where others have chosen to use commercial plugins or themes. I don’t think a single one of them has ever updated, nor is even capable of doing so. Rather disconcerting, though to be fair, they still work properly despite WP and PHP updates.
Anyway, you essentially have to replicate what WP does within your own plugin. Use WP_Cron to schedule a periodic check for updates. If one is available, download and extract the updated files. My advice is to not make this process entirely automatic. Get user permission to proceed with the update. I don’t think there is a way to tie into the WP update UI, you probably need to provide your own even though a separate update UI is less than desirable.
At this point, I’m actually confused as to OP’s intent vs bcworkz’s response.
My initial understanding was that OP meant the usual dashboard notification that an update is available, which takes just a single click to update. Genesis and its child themes, Yoast SEO’s premium extensions, Envato’s marketplace themes and plugins, and pretty much every commercial theme and plugin I’ve ever used does this.
Hence my response above.
But then the first part of bcworkz’s response made me think, perhaps, I misunderstood the question: perhaps OP meant automatic update without user input, as WordPress does with minor releases.
But then the second paragraph has this:
My advice is to not make this process entirely automatic. Get user permission to proceed with the update.
So how do you do this sort of automatic update and still require the user’s permission to proceed with the update.. other than the usual dashboard notification requiring a single click to update?
And if we’re talking about the usual dashboard notification requiring a single click to update, then I stand by my statement: thousands of plugins and themes out there that are distributed outside WordPress.org do exactly that.
Please note that I genuinely want to understand this: I’m not trying to pick a fight or anything. Thanks.
Hi kober777,
I’ve seen your new post, but I wanted to leave it in the unanswered questions queue so real developers can see it and answer.
Googling around your problem, I found this:
https://github.com/YahnisElsts/plugin-update-checker/
This is a custom update checker library for WordPress plugins and themes. It lets you add automatic update notifications and one-click upgrades to your commercial plugins, private themes, and so on.
The page has some links at the bottom which discuss the general problem. Even if you don’t want to use a third-party library, I’m sure this can point you in the right direction.
Please note that I’m not a developer. And from bcworkz’s response, I’m still unsure whether you want a fully automatic background upgrade with no user input… or automatic notification with one-click upgrade. So sorry if my responses take you on a goose hunt: I’m just trying to be helpful 🙂
Yes, wp_schedule_event() would be the the way to periodically check for updates. What you do when one is available is variable and up to you to decide what would best serve your users.
Hey George, sorry for any confusion I may have caused. I cannot claim to have a clear understanding of what kober777 meant by “update”. On a second reading, it could be taken either way. I’m sure kober777 is capable of deciding which advice is applicable to their intent and ignoring any advice that would not be applicable. It’s clear you are trying to understand and are not being antagonistic. Free and open discussion benefits everyone. Confusion benefits no one.
And don’t sell yourself short with this “I’m not a developer” stuff! You’re a smart guy that has offered lots of great advice here and elsewhere. Just because one does this as a hobby and not professionally does not diminish their knowledge and usefulness to others. Keep up the good work!
