While we took a short summer break, the developer world kept moving. Angular released versions 20.1 and 20.2 with zoneless stability and smarter templates, PHP 8.5 (alpha) introduced the pipe operator and handy new array functions, Akamai and LevelBlue launched Managed WAAP for web and API protection, Elementor 3.31 and 3.32 pushed the V4 editor forward, and LangChain 1.0 (alpha) answered community feedback with modular middleware and fresh documentation.
1
What’s New in Angular 20.1 and 20.2
Ján Hažinčák
Developer
Angular 20.1
- Logic directly in HTML
+=, ??=). This allows you to perform certain operations directly in the HTML code, though it does mean splitting logic between HTML and TS, which not everyone may appreciate.
//.html
<button (click)="increment()">+</button>
//.ts
increment() {
this.counter += 1;
}
<button (click)="counter += 1">+</button>
- NgOptimizedImage improvements: A new decoding parameter gives you finer control over how images are loaded — resulting in faster load times and a better UX.
- httpResource enhancements: New options like cache priority and keepalive provide greater control over how API requests are handled.
Angular 20.2
- Zoneless Angular stabilized
This release stabilizes zoneless Angular, meaning new greenfield projects can be built without zone.js from the start. The result is better performance and improved Core Web Vitals.
- TypeScript 5.9 support
Offers more modern typing features and extended import options.
- Additional practical updates:
- A redirected property in HTTP responses makes it much easier to track redirects and monitor redirected API requests.
- You can now add multiple FormControls to a FormArray at once — no more looping with forEach for bulk updates.
- Direct binding of ARIA attributes ([ariaLabel] instead of [attr.aria-label]) improves code readability and accessibility.
Summary
Both versions introduce meaningful updates that move Angular forward. I like that the team doesn’t overload the framework with unnecessary features but instead removes or limits less-used parts while improving existing ones.
A notable change in Angular 20.2 is that the @angular/animations package has been marked as deprecated. Developers are encouraged to use native CSS animations or JavaScript libraries instead — ultimately reducing bundle size.
2
PHP 8.5 is coming – and it’s a release developers will really enjoy!
Lukáš Huňár
Developer
PHP 8.5 is scheduled for release in November 2025, bringing plenty of practical new features and improvements. This version focuses on enhancing the developer experience, introducing useful new functionality, and offering more convenient debugging options.
Here’s what’s new in PHP 8.5: from the pipe operator that eliminates the need for temporary variables, to the NoDiscard attribute, which warns you when you ignore a return value. Also included are closures in constant expressions, new helper functions array_first() / array_last(), attributes on global constants, the ability to fetch the existing exception handler, IntlListFormatter for localized lists, and multiple internal enhancements for CLI and debugging.
Why upgrade to PHP 8.5?
- Better developer experience – new array functions save time and reduce boilerplate code.
- Smarter debugging – new handler getters provide clearer insights into what’s happening inside your application.
- Stronger tools – new CLI options and a build-date constant make debugging and deployment tracking easier.
- Future-ready – stay ahead with the latest PHP features and security updates.
New Array Functions: array_first() and array_last()
$users = ['Alice', 'Bob', 'Charlie'];
$firstUser = array_first($users); // 'Alice'
$lastUser = array_last($users); // 'Charlie'
// Works with associative arrays too
$data = ['name' => 'John', 'age' => 30, 'city' => 'Berlin'];
echo array_first($data); // 'John'
echo array_last($data); // 'Berlin'
// Returns null for empty arrays
$empty = [];
var_dump(array_first($empty)); // null
var_dump(array_last($empty)); // null
These functions are equivalent to:
array_first($array) → $array[array_key_first($array)]
array_last($array) → $array[array_key_last($array)]
Pipe Operator (|>)
PHP 8.5 introduces the pipe operator (|>), which allows you to chain functions by automatically passing the result of one function as the input to the next.
$result = 'Hello World'
|> strtoupper(...)
|> str_shuffle(...)
|> trim(...);
// Output: 'LWHO LDLROE' (or similar shuffled result)
// Equivalent to nested calls:
$result = trim(str_shuffle(strtoupper('Hello World')));
// Or using variables:
$result = 'Hello World';
$result = strtoupper($result);
$result = str_shuffle($result);
$result = trim($result);
3
Elementor 3.31 and 3.32
Mikuláš Žačok
Visual Content Creator
Since the last Coder’s Corner, two new versions of Elementor have been released. Both focus primarily on the upcoming Editor V4, which promises brand-new editing capabilities — especially around class management. The editor is still in alpha testing, so there’s still a long way to go.
Elementor 3.31
Updates in the V4 Editor:
- Full integration of CSS variables
- Support for custom HTML attributes
- Introduction of CSS filters (blur, contrast, invert, saturate, drop shadow, etc.) and backdrop filters with layering support
- Enhanced class management tools
Updates in the V3 Editor:
- Shape Dividers now display as visual previews instead of just a list
- As with every update: improved performance, optimization, and accessibility
Elementor 3.32
Updates in the V4 Editor:
- Transform Controls – allows movement, rotation, skewing, etc., with support for states like hover and active
- Transition Controls – animations between states (e.g., hover, focus)
- Size Variables – extends the variable system to include sizes (margins, dimensions, radii)
- Further improved class management – convert local styles to global classes, filter out unused or empty classes, better organization overall
Updates in the V3 Editor:
- Focus primarily on accessibility improvements
4
Managed WAAP (Web Application and API Protection)
Matej Matfiak
špecialista na SAP CPI
LevelBlue and Akamai have joined forces to launch a new service: Managed WAAP (Web Application and API Protection). This solution delivers adaptive, always-on protection for web applications and APIs – with the goal of simplifying and scaling security across organizations.
The service is built on Akamai App & API Protector and combines:
- a modern web application firewall (WAF),
- DDoS protection,
- bot management, and
- essential API security.
LevelBlue provides 24/7 expert support, monitoring, and management.
Key benefits:
- AI-powered threat detection combined with global threat intelligence.
- Automatic discovery and prioritization of applications and APIs, especially those handling sensitive data.
- Automated policy management without the need for manual fine-tuning.
- Available in two tiers: Essential and Advanced.
The launch comes at a time when the average number of web applications per organization has grown from 145 to over 200 in just two years. At the same time, up to 80% of them will rely on APIs, further increasing the demand for effective, automated protection.
With Managed WAAP, companies can address growing complexity and the shortage of in-house security expertise — while gaining a simple, scalable, and AI-enhanced solution to protect modern digital platforms.
5
LangChain and LangGraph Release Version 1.0 (Alpha)
Tomáš Bencko
Developer
The LangChain framework and its component LangGraph emerged in 2022 as pioneers of LLM application orchestration across both Python and JavaScript communities. Over time, however, criticism grew—pointing out excessive complexity, lack of flexibility, unstable APIs, and unclear documentation. As a result, many teams started switching to more straightforward solutions like OpenAI’s Agents SDK.
With the newly released version 1.0 (currently in alpha), LangChain is actively responding to that feedback.
Unified Abstractions
One of the key improvements is the standardization of the ReAct-based agent pattern.
LangChain 1.0 introduces a new createAgent abstraction that simplifies the creation of agents using a unified, proven structure.
import { createAgent } from "langchain";
const agent = createAgent({
model: "openai:gpt-5-mini",
prompt: systemPrompt,
tools: [getUserLocation, getWeather],
middleware: [authMiddleware, humanInTheLoopMiddleware],
});
Middleware Revolution
LangChain developers have long struggled to maintain fine-grained control over agent behavior and context—without leaving the framework. While some solutions existed, the new middleware system marks a major step forward.
Instead of relying on large, monolithic hooks, responsibilities can now be split into small, testable, reusable, and composable modules.
const authMiddleware = createMiddleware({
name: "AuthMiddleware",
stateSchema: z.object({
userId: z.string(),
isAuthorized: z.boolean().default(false),
}),
beforeModel: (state) => {
console.log(`Authorizing user ${state.userId}...`);
const ok = Math.random() > 0.5;
if (!ok) return { jumpTo: "end" };
return { isAuthorized: true };
},
});
Revamped Documentation
Equally important is the completely rebuilt documentation, now better organized, up-to-date, and consolidated into a single place. Combined with the excellent LangChain Academy, onboarding new developers should now be easier than ever.
Only time will tell whether LangChain can win back developers who switched to custom LLM orchestration solutions. But it’s clear that the LangChain team is listening to community feedback — and actively evolving the framework in the right direction.
Missed the latest edition of Coder’s Corner? Read it here.