Discover the Latest Features in PrestaShop 8.0 Beta

 PrestaShop enthusiasts, rejoice! The highly anticipated PrestaShop 8.0 beta has been unleashed, inviting users to test its new and improved features. In this post, we'll delve into the highlights of this version, marking a significant update since the release of PrestaShop 1.7.0 in 2016.

PrestaShop 8 is the first company-neutral edition of the project, which means that it no longer comes with built-in commercial items and services.

We will list some notable changes in the PrestaShop 8.0 beta version in this blog post. You can see a detailed list of all the new updates in this release here.

Key Updates in PrestaShop 8.0

Codebase cleanup

Significant overhaul: The codebase has undergone a meticulous cleanup, eliminated outdated components, and refined various internal elements.

Enhanced performance: This cleanup contributes to improved performance, ensuring a smoother and more efficient operation of PrestaShop.

Symfony 4.4 compatibility

Cutting-edge compatibility: PrestaShop 8.0 embraces Symfony 4.4, showcasing a commitment to staying abreast of the latest technologies.

PHP support: Compatibility with PHP 8 and 8.1 ensures that PrestaShop users can leverage the advancements and speed enhancements of the PHP programming language.

Server requirements: Servers running PHP 7.2.5 or above can seamlessly accommodate PrestaShop 8.0, emphasizing the importance of maintaining up-to-date server configurations.

Improved experimental product page

Revamped user experience: The experimental product page receives a facelift, promising an enhanced user experience and faster navigation.

Developer-friendly: Developed using Symfony, this page introduces more flexibility and facilitates code reuse, making it a valuable addition for developers.

Security page

Enhanced shop security: The introduction of a dedicated security page empowers shop managers with granular control over user sessions and password policies.

Customizable policies: Shop owners can now define and enforce password policies, adding an extra layer of security to their PrestaShop stores.

Company-neutral edition

Versatility and customization: PrestaShop 8.0 marks a paradigm shift by becoming the first company-neutral edition. This move empowers users to tailor the platform to their specific needs without pre-packaged commercial items or services.

Tailored e-commerce solutions: The company-neutral approach allows businesses to curate their e-commerce solutions according to their unique requirements.

Notable changes

Automatic module installation: During installation, all modules in the "/modules" directory are automatically installed, streamlining the setup process.

Upgrade module consolidation: The upgrade module now houses all upgrade scripts that were previously part of the Core, simplifying the upgrade procedure.

Development mode enhancements: The development mode now throws exceptions if a module registers for a hook without implementing a corresponding function, aiding developers in fault detection.

Default carrier change: The default carrier is now named "Click and collect", aligning with the evolving features of PrestaShop.

Live exchange rate service discontinuation: The live exchange rate service is no longer available, prompting potential adjustments in third-party payment modules.

Symfony Update

Cache adapter changes: Symfony 4.4 brings changes to cache handling, leading to the exclusion of Memcache & APC’s Doctrine ORM cache adapters.

Service dependency injection: Services that are not dependency-injected or designated as "public" are now excluded from the container, enhancing Symfony's modularity.

Translations directory relocation: The translations directory has been relocated to "/translations/" from "/app/Resources/translations/", simplifying the directory structure.

New Product Page

Symfony-based efficiency: The upcoming back-office product page is built on Symfony, promising a more adaptable and efficient solution for managing products.

User-centric design: Geared towards merchants dealing with extensive combinations and growing inventories, this page focuses on delivering a superior user experience.

Themes

jQuery UI tooltips transition: Themes using jQuery UI tooltips might need updates to adapt to Bootstrap’s tooltips.

Enhanced display: Empty state messages are now shown inside the block in pages like order history and addresses, providing a cleaner and more integrated look.

Classic theme and password policy: The “Classic” theme now supports the new password policy, offering users flexibility in configuring security measures.

What Happens to Earlier Versions

PrestaShop 8.0's deployment will impact earlier versions, with support for security patch updates for about a year. Upgrading from 1.7.8 to 8.0 is expected to be smoother than previous transitions. Themes developed for PrestaShop 1.7 should seamlessly function with the updated edition.

Ready to Dive into PrestaShop 8.0?

Download PrestaShop 8.0 and unlock a world of possibilities for your e-commerce business. Planning to upgrade? Utilize our Direct Upgrade module for a hassle-free transition. If migration is your preference, our Migration 4.0 module ensures a seamless switch while retaining valuable data. Embrace the future of PrestaShop with version 8.0!