From 24328fad4b81022cc74e4528ec0129c7b4c07b8f Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Dave Ryan <0aveRyan@users.noreply.github.com> Date: Tue, 19 Mar 2024 15:33:27 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] Docs: Expand Details section (#1109) MIME-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Expands the overview section with language that is slightly-technical but not in-the-weeds to try to explain the nuance between a playground, most local apps (pre-Playground 😏 ) and a traditional web server. ## What problem is it solving? Trying to distill Playground under-the-hood and how it differs from the WordPress you might now. ## How is the problem addressed? Humor can be a helpful catalyst as the brain tries to understand new concepts, so can a few details that might answer some common questions 😄 --- .../docs/site/docs/01-start-here/02-overview.md | 16 ++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 16 insertions(+) diff --git a/packages/docs/site/docs/01-start-here/02-overview.md b/packages/docs/site/docs/01-start-here/02-overview.md index db7b2043fc..0fc94d03bd 100644 --- a/packages/docs/site/docs/01-start-here/02-overview.md +++ b/packages/docs/site/docs/01-start-here/02-overview.md @@ -25,3 +25,19 @@ The content you create is limited to the Playground on your device and disappear ## And, yes it's safe Overall, WordPress Playground provides a risk-free environment for beginners to learn and get hands-on experience with WordPress. It helps you to gain confidence and knowledge before making changes to your live website. + +## What makes Playground different from running WordPress on a web server or local desktop app? + +Web applications like WordPress have long-relied on server technologies [to run logic](https://wordpress.github.io/wordpress-playground/architecture/wasm-php-overview) and [to store data](https://wordpress.github.io/wordpress-playground/architecture/wordpress#sqlite). + +Using those technologies has meant either running an web server connected to the internet or using those technologies in a desktop service or app (sometimes called a "WordPress local environment") that either leans on a virtual server with the technologies installed or the underlying technologies on the current device. + +**Playground is a novel way to stream server technologies -- and WordPress _(and WP-CLI)_ -- as files that can then run in the browser.** + +### _Streamed_, not served. + +The WordPress you see when you open Playground in your browser is a WordPress that should function like any WordPress, with [a few limitations](https://wordpress.github.io/wordpress-playground/limitations) and the important exception that it's not a permanent server with an internet address which will limit connections to some third-party services (automation, sharing, analysis, email, backups, etc.) in a persistient way. + +The loading screen and progress bar you see on Playground includes both the streaming of those foundational technologies to your browser and configuration steps [(examples)](https://wordpress.github.io/wordpress-playground/blueprints-api/examples) from [WordPress Blueprints](https://github.com/WordPress/blueprints-library), so that a full server, WordPress software, Theme & Plugin solutions and configuration instructions can be streamed over-the-wire. + +While many WordPress solutions may require internet connectivity to interact with social networks, live feeds and other internet services, those kind of connections [could be limited in Playground](https://wordpress.github.io/wordpress-playground/architecture/wasm-php-overview/#networking-support-varies-between-platforms). However, by enabling network connectivity in the Customize Playground settings modal [(example URL w/ query parameter)](https://playground.wordpress.net/?networking=yes), you can mostly wire-up internet connectivity to the WordPress in Playground.