no more “cowboy coding”: a best practices guide to local development & migration

No more “Cowboy Coding”A Best Practices Guide to

Local Development & Migration

all disney images used without permission so don’t sue me

How many of you have done THIS?

Or This? (without a backup)

Or This?

Well, That’s Cowboy Coding!And we don’ttake KINDLY to those kindaSHENANIGANS!

(and neither doyour clients)

all disney images used without permission so don’t sue me

Overview:• Regular Backups

(Even Better in the CLOUD!)• Local Development FIRST• Understanding the WordPress Database

& File Structure• Version Control Process

(& why it’s so important)• Migrating a LIVE Website from Local

(without losing your head)

all disney images used without permission so don’t sue me

BACKUPS

MINIMUM: Copy your file before editing or replacing into

a backup directory

BETTER: Use Cloud Connected Storage• OFFSITE• Sync’d on all your devices (even your phone)• RESTORE History!

(Easy to get back to prior version)

GREAT for Graphic Files, Project Documents

Local Development

Web Server running WordPress w/ MySQL Databaseon your LOCAL machineWhy? Gives you a Safety Net

• Test things (and break things) w/o hurting anyone• Test Plugins and Themes• Learn the WordPress Database• Great for Client Demos

Common Development Environment

Agency/Team Development Environment

Local Development: ServerPress

DesktopServer by ServerPresshttp://serverpress.com

• (Works on Mac or Windows)

• Automates the AMP Stack(Apache/MariaDB/PHP)

• FREE (up to 3 local websites)

Local Development: Vagrant

• VagrantsVVV (or Varying Vagrant Vagrants)

• Works on ALL OS’s (with some work)

• (Requires VirtualBox & Vagrant)• Creates Virtual Machines all within

your desktop (more console based)

• FREE but ComplicatedGetting Started Walkthrough:

http://torquemag.io/2014/08/getting-started-vagrant-local-development/

https://webdevstudios.com/2015/01/14/getting-started-vagrant-vvv-local-development/

includes VV List, a VVV Site Wizard

Local Development: Docker / Pressmatic

• Docker Containers• Each site gets a custom environment• Works on ALL OS’s (with some work)• FREE but Complicated

Pressmatic - pressmatic.io - $129• Docker-based• Easy to use site administration• Fast site creation• Import / Export / Default Config Customizations

Learn WordPress Database

Two really good resources to learn the structure of where your files are stored; necessary when you’re doing migrations:

• Tour of the WordPress Database:https://deliciousbrains.com/tour-wordpress-database/

• Tour of the MultiSite WordPress Database:https://deliciousbrains.com/wordpress-multisite-database-tour/

• Learning phpMyAdmin & WordPress:http://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/beginners-guide-to-wordpress-database-management-with-phpmyadmin/

Learn WordPress File Structure

Specifically WP_CONTENTAll your primary files for your WordPress installationare in that directory:

/themes/ - all your theme files, active or not/plugins/ - all your plugins, active or not/uploads/ - All the Media filesSite Configuration in wp_config.php

https://codex.wordpress.org/WordPress_Files#wp-content

MIGRATIONS

The File & Database are important, because

MINIMUM to copy a WordPress site:• wp_content/• wp_config.php (configured to connect to DB on new

Server)• MySQL SQL file imported into that Databasehttp://www.billerickson.net/migrating-wordpress-websites/

MIGRATIONS

Automated Tools for Migrations:

BackupBuddy by iThemes

Handles initial Migration, not sure about ‘changes’

https://ithemes.com/purchase/backupbuddy/

MIGRATIONS

WP Migrate DB &WP Migrate DB Pro

by Delicious Brains

Handles all Data migrations

with a PUSH/PULL technology

VERY Powerful!https://deliciousbrains.com/wp-migrate-db-pro/

WP Migrate DB ProLocal REMOTE

Can also handle MEDIA filesand new version can handle MultiSite(subsites to single install & back)

Version Control with GIT

Incredibly powerful, but sometimes Incredibly complicated tool that can save your life (and the life of your project), if you know how to use it.LUCKILY….

http://wordpress.tv/2015/12/13/morten-rand-hendriksen-github-for-the-rest-of-us/http://mor10.com/github-wcus/

Git Tools

• GitHub Desktop (Mac & Windows)https://desktop.github.com/

• BitBucket / SourceTree (Mac & Windows)https://www.sourcetreeapp.com/

• Tower for Git (paid, Mac Only)https://www.git-tower.com/

• Additional Tutorials:https://www.codeschool.com/courses/try-githttps://confluence.atlassian.com/bitbucket/bitbucket-tutorials-teams-in-space-training-ground-755338051.html

Perfect Team

With GIT for Version control of my theme stuffand WP Migrate DB Pro to keep my Data in syncthe Cloud for my Graphic Filesand Local Development with Vagrant, I’m safe & effective

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Desktop Server Workshop

Desktop Server Workshop

Desktop Server needs to be run with Supervisory Permissions (On Windows it should only ask the first time)

Desktop Server Workshop

Fires up your web services and database.

Desktop Server Workshop

Web & Database are running!

Desktop Server Workshop

Primary DesktopServer Menu

Desktop Server Workshop

Creating a New Local Web Server

Desktop Server Workshop

Using a Blueprint to Start Your New Server

Desktop Server Workshop

When you click the “Sites” button