PluginScore

Squiz.PHP.DiscouragedFunctions.Discouraged

Discouraged PHP function

The plugin uses a PHP or WordPress pattern that coding standards discourage.

medium weight

Why It Shows Up

Plugin Check found a discouraged function, forbidden function, goto, backtick operator, or similar construct.

Why It Matters

Discouraged patterns are often harder to review, less portable across hosts, or easier to misuse securely.

How to Fix

  • Identify why the construct is used and whether WordPress provides a safer API.
  • Replace shell execution, dynamic execution, or broad forbidden functions with constrained WordPress APIs.
  • If a third-party library triggers the warning, isolate and document it.

References

WordPress Coding Standards

Affected Plugins

RankPluginScoreErrorsWarningsInstallsAddedUpdatedTop Issue
#601WP Event Aggregator: Import Eventbrite events, Meetup events, social events and any iCal Events into Event Calendar301134191k+Non-prefixed global variable
#602WP Mail SMTP by WPForms – The Most Popular SMTP and Email Log Plugin30323464m+Non-prefixed hook name
#603WPS Cleaner3043049120k+Output is not escaped
#604WPZOOM Addons for Beaver Builder302,1681774k+Text Domain Mismatch
#605Zoho CRM Lead Magnet301011,0253k+Request data is not unslashed
#606a3 Lazy Load318323990k+Dynamic hook name
#607AEH Speed Optimization: Browser Cache, Optimized Minify, Lazy Loading & Image Optimization31911332k+Output is not escaped
#608Advanced Woo Search – Product Search for WooCommerce3122837770k+Nonce verification recommended
#609The SEO Framework – Fast, Automated, Effortless.31363609200k+Non-prefixed global variable
#610Download Plugin317810260k+Output is not escaped
#611EnvoThemes Demo Import312211403k+Output is not escaped
#612FastDup – Fastest WordPress Migration & Duplicator3183665k+wp function not compatible with requires wp
#613Linguise – AI Automatic Multilingual Translation31612841k+Non-prefixed global variable
#614MainWP Dashboard: Self-hosted WordPress Management for Agencies319531720k+Interpolated SQL is not prepared
#615Qode Essential Addons315529510k+Non-prefixed global variable
#616Query Monitor3144273200k+Non-prefixed class
#617Rank Math SEO – AI SEO Tools to Dominate SEO Rankings31453734m+Non-prefixed global variable
#618Sidebar Manager Light31221761k+Text Domain Mismatch
#619SpeedyCache – Cache, Optimization, Performance3165118600k+Input is not validated
#620Staatic – Static Site Generator for WordPress314201952k+SQL query is not prepared
#621Themify Store Locator31244125500Text Domain Mismatch
#622Project Manager – AI Powered Project Management, Task Management, Kanban Board & Time Tracker31639356k+Interpolated SQL is not prepared
#623WP Easy Uploader31202113600Non Singular String Literal Domain
#624WPDoctor Malware Scanner & Vulnerability Checker & IP blocker with Hack monitor Lite31133438600Non-prefixed global variable
#625Auto YouTube Importer323381731k+Text Domain Mismatch
#626Child Theme Configurator32442267300k+Unsafe printing function
#627Code Manager32217261500Nonce verification recommended
#628CSV Import and Exporter32831381k+Non-prefixed global variable
#629Download Attachments32691888k+Non-prefixed hook name
#630Freesoul Deactivate Plugins – Disable plugins on individual WordPress pages32537769k+Nonce verification recommended
#631WP Gravity Forms Zoho CRM and Bigin32750174400Text Domain Mismatch
#632Insights from Google PageSpeed3241447520k+Text Domain Mismatch
#633GraphComment Comment system32217225400Unsafe printing function
#634Gwolle Guestbook3226952720k+Output is not escaped
#635HTML5 jQuery Audio Player322511531k+Unsafe printing function
#636Jetpack VaultPress Backup3255421120k+Text Domain Mismatch
#637MapPress Maps for WordPress3269513330k+Missing Arg Domain
#638Post and Page Builder by BoldGrid – Visual Drag and Drop Editor3234825850k+Output is not escaped
#639Quick Featured Images3243632350k+Non-prefixed global variable
#640Showcase IDX Real Estate Search & Lead Capture32123522k+Output is not escaped
#641Sky Addons for Elementor32853512k+Non-prefixed namespace
#642Subscribe2 – Form, Email Subscribers & Newsletters323241010k+Direct Query
#643Easy 3D Viewer323992411k+Text Domain Mismatch
#644Payment Gateway for Redsys & WooCommerce Lite321257520k+Text Domain Mismatch
#645Addi – Cuotas que se adaptan a ti331062092k+Direct Query
#646Century ToolKit3311878800Output is not escaped
#647Contact Form Plugin33472202k+Non-prefixed function
#648WP GIF Uploader33117441k+Text Domain Mismatch
#649IP2Location Redirection331981228k+Output is not escaped
#650MWB HubSpot for WooCommerce – CRM, Abandoned Cart, Email Marketing, Marketing Automation & Analytics33262797k+Non-prefixed global variable