"Correspondance"
4.0.0 is named "Correspondance" because it perfectly captures what Retraceur 4.0.0 brings.
A correspondance is first and foremost a transfer during a journey. You leave one route to continue on another. It isn't the destination itself, but it makes the journey possible. That's exactly the role of this release. Rather than adding countless new features, it creates the conditions that will allow Retraceur to evolve sustainably.
The word also carries another meaning: correspondence between people. This release establishes a new dialogue between Retraceur and the resources around it. Blocks, plugins, and soon themes and translations are no longer simply installed—they can now be discovered, updated, and connected to a site through standardized exchanges.
Ultimately, this Correspondance is about connecting a website with the people who help it evolve, while leaving everyone free to choose their own path.
NB: this software comes without any warranty.
Requirements
| PHP >= | 7.4 |
|---|---|
| MySQL >= | 5.5.5 |
What's new in 4.0.0?
Discover before updating
The two flagship features of Retraceur 4.0.0 are the Discovery and Update APIs. They address a simple need: helping a website find relevant resources and then keeping them up to date.
The first step is naturally discovery. The Discovery API allows users to search directly from the administration interface for blocks and plugins compatible with Retraceur. Its goal is simple: to provide a gateway to freely published resources.
That freedom comes with greater responsibility:
- for users, who must make informed choices, just as they do when browsing the Web;
- for developers, who are responsible for the security, maintenance, and quality of what they publish.
Once a resource has been installed, the Update API takes over. It regularly checks whether a new version is available and lets users install it just as easily as Retraceur's built-in updates.
By clearly separating these two responsibilities—discovering and keeping up to date—Retraceur lays the foundations of a simple, open, and sustainable infrastructure for all of its resources.
And many more improvements!
All other changes are detailed into this changelog.
Found an issue?
Please report it here 😍
Package information
retraceur.zipis the English version of the software.retraceur-fr_FR.zipis the French version of the software (this french language catalog is bundled in it).
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Photo credits: original photograph by PtrQs (CC BY-SA 4.0), remixed with the assistance of artificial intelligence and redistributed under the same license.