Joomla is an open source Content Management System (CMS). Like other CMS, Joomla is used to create, manage, and publish the digital content. You can download, use, and further develop it freely. The programming language used to create and develop Joomla is PHP. To use Joomla, you also need to use one of some supported databases such as MySQL, Microsoft SQL Server, or PostgreSQL.
In addition to Joomla, there are many CMSs out there that are also open sources like Drupal, WordPress, and Magento. Joomla itself is easy to use. You do not have to master the software like PHP, HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Bootstrap, or its supported databases to create the websites or the web apps with Joomla. You can use Joomla to create the enterprise-class websites or web applications like online shop or e-commerce.
The number of Joomla users is growing quite rapidly. The Joomla project itself is 100% run by highly dedicated and vigorous volunteers who have a concern about the open source software development. Joomla periodically releases its newest version. All Joomla users are encouraged to do the update. There are reasons why you need to update your Joomla.
Security improvement.
As stated that Joomla is an open source CMS that uses PHP as its programming language and MySQL as its database. PHP and MySQL themselves are open source software. The weaknesses of most of the open source software are they may have the security gaps that can be found easily because their codes can be downloaded and learned by anyone. That is why open source software such as Joomla need to receive regular updates.
The usefulness of updating Joomla is to patch up the security gaps found in the previous version of Joomla. If you keep using the old version of Joomla and not updating it, you mean let the weaknesses of Joomla stay open to being attacked by the hackers. If so, your Joomla is in trouble. Joomla can become corrupted and you may lose all the useful data like user profiles, emails, and so on. Actually, the weaknesses of Joomla come not only from Joomla itself but also from PHP or database it uses.
Joomla that remains not updated may be vulnerable to the virus or malware attacks. This understanding is not different from the antivirus installed on your computer. The antivirus also needs to stay updated to keep all the software installed protected from the virus or malware. If you do want Joomla to avoid the virus or malware attacks, you need to pay attention to its security aspects.
Performance improvement.
Joomla is based on PHP and supports some databases. At the beginning of its emergence, Joomla may have a few issues related to its performance or other disturbances. The performance issues and disturbances will continuously be fixing. The completed fixes are then released again in the next Joomla version along with the new features and enhancements.
The next versions of Joomla certainly focus on improving the performance, implementing the new web technologies, and leveraging the new features of the software used. The Joomla development closely relates to the development of the software used. For example, Joomla 4 will raise the minimum PHP version to PHP 7. You can not install Joomla 4 if you use the previous version of PHP.
The use of PHP 7 in Joomla 4 is not without reason. The presence of PHP 7 brings many enhancements and functionalities. One of the big concerns is the significant increase in the execution speed. Of course, the good impact of using PHP 7 is not only on speed but also on security and stability. Some online articles stated that Joomla performance will rise 50% or more with PHP 7.
Utilizing the presence of new features.
Unlike the previous versions of Joomla, Joomla 4 brings many changes such as new user interface in the admin panel, code improvements, faster page loading time, SEO improvements, and many more. Joomla 4 also supports the use of the latest web technologies such as Bootstrap 4 and needs PHP 7 to run. By using the new features of the software used and utilizing the latest web technologies, Joomla will continue to exist and can compete with other CMS out there.
Therefore, you can no longer keep quiet with the old version of Joomla that continue to fall behind and are less able to adapt to the today's technological developments. You should benefit from the presence of the new features brought by Joomla. In other words, if you want to take advantage of the new features to ensure you can adapt to the current technological developments, you need to update to the latest version of Joomla.
