Introduction of Font Awesome 4.7
As a web developer, I am often called upon to solve problems my clients encounter on their websites. One such client had an issue with their social media icon not showing correctly and appearing broken. After some investigation, I found that the problem lay with the Font Awesome version being used on their site. I downgraded the version from 6 to 4.7, fixing the issue. However, this led to another problem, as their WordPress dashboard displayed a warning that an older version of Font Awesome was selected and would be removed by August 2022. In this blog post, I will explore this issue in detail and discuss the steps I took to resolve it.
Understanding Font Awesome 4.7
Font Awesome is a famous icon set that web developers can use on their websites. It allows them to add icons to their web pages without creating them from scratch. Font Awesome has existed for many years, and different versions have been released. Version 4.7 is one of the older versions still widely used today.
One of the reasons why Font Awesome 4.7 is still used is that it is a stable version that has been thoroughly tested. It also has a large library of icons that are available for use. However, newer versions offer additional features and improvements, as with all software. In the case of Font Awesome, version 6 is the latest release.
While version 6 offers many benefits, some web developers still use version 4.7 because it is a stable and reliable version they are comfortable working with. However, as we will see in the next section, using an older version of Font Awesome can lead to compatibility issues.
The Compatibility Issue
When I downgraded my client’s Font Awesome version from 6 to 4.7, I fixed the issue with the social media icon not showing correctly. However, this led to another issue when my client logged into their WordPress dashboard. They saw a warning that an older version of Font Awesome was selected and would be removed by August 2022.
This warning was displayed because WordPress is constantly updating its software to ensure that it is secure and up to date. As part of these updates, WordPress will remove support for older software versions, including Font Awesome. If my client continued to use Font Awesome 4.7, they would eventually encounter compatibility issues with their WordPress site.
While it is possible to continue using an older version of Font Awesome, it is not recommended because it can lead to compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities. It is always best to stay updated with the latest software releases to ensure your website is secure and functioning correctly.
Resolving the Issue
To resolve the issue, I updated my client’s Font Awesome version from 4.7 to 5.15.4, a stable and up-to-date version compatible with WordPress. This version offers many benefits, including new icons and improved performance. I also updated my client’s WordPress software to the latest version to ensure that it was compatible with the new version of Font Awesome.
After updating Font Awesome and WordPress, my client’s site ran smoothly, and they no longer received warning messages. The social media icon displayed correctly, and my client was happy with the outcome.
It is essential to keep your website updated with the latest software releases to ensure that it functions correctly and is secure. By staying current, you can avoid compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities from using older software versions.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the case of the broken social media icon highlights the importance of using up-to-date software versions on your website. While it may be tempting to use older versions that are stable and familiar, doing so can lead to compatibility issues and security vulnerabilities. Keeping your software up to date ensures that your website functions correctly and is secure. Suppose you encounter any issues with your site. In that case, it is always best to seek the help of a professional web developer who can diagnose and resolve the issue quickly and efficiently.
