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Using Composer Update is a Crime: Why Magento Developers Should Avoid It



As a Magento developer, managing third-party modules via Composer is essential for keeping your project organized and up to date. However, when installing a new module, there’s one command that might seem tempting, yet can lead to chaos if not used carefully: composer update

Yes, you read that right—using composer update can be a crime (against your project, that is).

In this blog, we’ll explore why running composer update without caution can be risky, and why you should think twice before pulling the trigger. Let’s break it down.

What Does composer update Do?

At first glance, composer update seems harmless. When you run it, Composer checks for newer versions of every package listed in your composer.json file and updates them to the latest compatible versions based on your version constraints.

That sounds good, right? Why wouldn't you want the latest updates?

Well, here's where things get tricky.

The Hidden Risk of composer update

Running composer update doesn't just update the module you're installing—it updates every dependency in your project to the latest version that satisfies the constraints. This can lead to unintended side effects, especially in a complex Magento environment.

1. Dependency Hell

Magento projects often rely on dozens (if not hundreds) of dependencies, many of which are interconnected. Running composer update can trigger a cascade of updates, changing versions of packages you didn’t expect. These new versions might be incompatible with each other or with your existing custom code, leading to conflicts and breaking your Magento store.

2. Unexpected Version Changes

Even though you may have set version constraints in your composer.json, running composer update can still update packages within those constraints—introducing new features or bug fixes that might not be fully compatible with your environment. You could unknowingly introduce new issues into your project, which might take hours or even days to track down and fix.

3. Unpredictable Behavior

Magento’s core and third-party modules are sensitive to version mismatches. A minor version change in one of your dependencies could lead to unpredictable behavior in your store, affecting everything from frontend functionality to backend processes.

Imagine pushing a simple update to production, only to find that your checkout process has broken due to a dependency update you didn’t even know occurred. Sounds like a nightmare, right?

What Should You Do Instead?

Luckily, there’s a safer alternative: composer require.

1. Use composer require for Specific Module Installation

When you want to install a new module, use:

composer require vendor/module-name

This command will install the module and only update the necessary dependencies for that specific package. It’s a controlled way to introduce new functionality without affecting the rest of your project.

2. Manually Update Your Dependencies

Instead of running composer update globally, you should manually review and update dependencies by editing your composer.json file and specifying the exact version you need. Then, you can run:

composer update vendor/package-name

This will update only the package you want, minimizing the risk of breaking your Magento store.

3. Use composer.lock to Your Advantage

The composer.lock file stores the exact versions of all installed dependencies. When you run composer install, Composer installs the versions listed in composer.lock, ensuring that your environment remains consistent.

Only run composer update if you’re sure you want to update all dependencies and have thoroughly tested the impact on your development or staging environment.

The Right Approach to Composer in Magento

  • Always backup: Before making any changes, ensure you have a backup of your Magento store, especially your composer.json and composer.lock files.
  • Test in a staging environment: Never run composer update in production without first testing in a staging environment.
  • Be specific: Use composer require for installing new modules and target specific dependencies if you need to update them.
  • Document changes: Keep a log of your package changes and updates to avoid confusion later.

Conclusion: Think Before You composer update

Using composer update might seem like an easy solution to manage your Magento dependencies, but the risks far outweigh the convenience. It can lead to unexpected version changes, conflicts, and broken functionality—potentially affecting your entire store.

By using composer require and managing updates in a more controlled manner, you can avoid these pitfalls and ensure that your Magento store remains stable and functional.

Remember, in the world of Magento development, using composer update recklessly is a crime—so think twice before you run that command!

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