Magento 2: Key features and updates

Magento is referred as one of the best available e-commerce platforms because of its unmatched features and extensions. It is cost effective, flexible and scalable platform that provides full control over the functionality, content, look and feel and the marketing function of the store. It was first launched in 2008 and since then the company has launched lots of various versions. eBay officials have announced the most awaited developer release of the latest version of the e-commerce platform “Magento 2” in Imagine commerce 2015. Magento 2 is featured with lots of updates and advanced features that can transform the eCommerce development.

Magento 2 is mainly focused to improve the performance and scalability of the platform. You can find lots of structural and functional changes in it while you compare Magento 2 with any Magento 1.x versions. Following are six major goals that the company wants to accomplish by the product update.

1)      Improved performance and scalability

2)      Modernized web technology stack.

3)      Easy customization.

4)      Separate Business logic from presentation.

5)      Cleaner Installation and upgrades.

6)      High code quality and improved testing framework.

7 key features of Magento 2

Compatible with majority modern platforms

Magento 1.x versions were supporting MySQL only. Magento 2 supports varied range of database like MSSQL and Oracle. It will strengthen the windows based server support. Magento 2 is also compatible with PHP 5.5 and above, along with the Zend framework to manage the performance of cache engine, database access layer and translations.

Changed technology stacks

Magento 2 now uses the latest version of jQuery, CSS3, HTML5 and Less Preprocessor. Magento 2 is entirely responsive in design. Requires library is another great feature that loads JS resources non-synchronous, which improves overall page load speed of the site. PSR compliance is an added benefit with Magento 2.

Improved scalability and performance

Performance speed was the biggest area of concern in older versions of Magento. Magento 2 is expected to be 20% faster than the previous versions. They have improved the indexing process in the latest version. Magento toolkit lets you verify and optimize the performance. Magento 2 is also integrated with the Varnish Cache. It will reduce the server load and speed up the page loading.

Change in file structure

Magento 2 has  completely revamped file structure to provide a clear and better view of the structure to the developers. Magento 2 has two major structural changes. First is that everything is placed directly under the app structure now. Second is that every module has its own VIEW directory from where you can access all layouts, JS, templates or CSS files for that specific module. Magento 2 now has one new type of directory called “Public Directory” along with the Primary directory, System directory and Application directory.

Better security and community interaction

As Magento 2 comes with the significant updates in the file structure, it looks more secure than the previous versions. The new public directory allows developers to protect their code form security break. They have also enhanced the server side security check-up that makes the system more secure. Magento 2 is getting huge community support as a result of their community building efforts. Interacting with the Magento 2 community is relatively easy and hassle-free.

Automated testing

Code testing is a very tedious process for Magento Development. The best thing is that Magento 2 is 100% Testing Friendly. It is equipped with flawless testing framework. It allows you to check every functionality of the store through Unit test, Static test, Integration test, Legacy test, JacaScript test and performance test, etc. Magento 2 allows developers to set up the automated tests easily.

Easy and cost effective upgrading

It is much easier to get upgraded to Magento 2 compared to previous versions. Magento 2 have updated the information about their versioning policy and upgraded compatibility. Magento 2 installation has become faster with its standalone installer. Developers can use import/export functionality to import and export the customer records, product catalog, etc. information while upgrading to Magento 2.

Magento 2 Beta version was launched in December 2014. The company has announced the Developer Release of Magento 2 in the first quarter of 2015 during the Imagine Commerce 2015. Merchant Beta version will be launched in the third quarter of 2015 and the General Merchant version will be available in the fourth quarter of 2015. Magento has been the most popular ecommerce platform for the fourth year in 2014 and it is expected to be in 2015. Magento 2 contains lots of new features that can transform eCommerce development structure. It is useful for both the developers and the merchants.

You can get all the details on how you can get upgraded to Magento 2 here.