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
#101Better WordPress Minify224124848k+Non Singular String Literal Domain
#102Clearfy Cache – WordPress optimization plugin, Minify HTML, CSS & JS, Defer222,8581,27050k+Text Domain Mismatch
#103Code Profiler – WordPress Performance Profiling and Debugging Made Easy222654008k+Non-prefixed global variable
#104RegistrationMagic – Custom Registration Forms, User Registration, Payment, and User Login223,6535,0788k+Non-prefixed global variable
#105Data Tables Generator by Supsystic2215815210k+Exception output is not escaped
#106Database Access with Adminer229832,5531k+Non-prefixed global variable
#107Download Manager222,2821,352100k+Output is not escaped
#108E2Pdf – Export Pdf Tool for WordPress221,07583610k+Unsafe printing function
#109ERP: Complete HR, Recruitment, Accounting & CRM Suite with WooCommerce CRM Support228285,9695k+Direct Query
#110Estatik Real Estate Plugin223,04932510k+Text Domain Mismatch
#111Events Manager – Calendar, Bookings, Tickets, and more!224,7135,66070k+Output is not escaped
#112File Manager Pro – Filester22565391100k+Request data is not unslashed
#113Fluent Forms – Customizable Contact Forms, Survey, Quiz, & Conversational Form Builder22409236700k+Text Domain Mismatch
#114Five Star Restaurant Menu and Food Ordering227526095k+Output is not escaped
#115FunnelKit Payment Gateway for Stripe WooCommerce2224432120k+Input is not sanitized
#116GeoDirectory – WP Business Directory Plugin and Classified Listings Directory224,4663,97210k+Output is not escaped
#117HeadSpace2 SEO229403603k+Text Domain Mismatch
#118IMPress for IDX Broker221,0856366k+Text Domain Mismatch
#119Insert or Embed Articulate Content into WordPress226591,4372k+Non-prefixed global variable
#120Számlázz.hu integráció WooCommerce-hez221,1694607k+Text Domain Mismatch
#121InfiniteWP Client222,2861,812200k+Exception output is not escaped
#122Import WP – Export and Import CSV and XML files to WordPress225803304k+Exception output is not escaped
#123JCC Payment Gateway for Woocommerce222,2731,136600Text Domain Mismatch
#124JCH Optimize221,1431364k+Output is not escaped
#125Jetpack – WP Security, Backup, Speed, & Growth222,9751,3483m+Text Domain Mismatch
#126LearnPress – WordPress LMS Plugin for Create and Sell Online Courses222,3463,34170k+Non-prefixed global variable
#127MailOptin – Popup, Optin Forms & Email Newsletters for Mailchimp, HubSpot, AWeber Etc.222,6252,45810k+Output is not escaped
#128Modula Image Gallery – Photo Grid & Video Gallery22474436100k+Text Domain Mismatch
#129Molongui Authorship – Author Boxes, Guest Authors & Co-Authors for WordPress229191,23010k+Output is not escaped
#130Motors – Car Dealership & Classified Listings Plugin225,3405,9599k+Text Domain Mismatch
#131Newsletters222,9682,2482k+Text Domain Mismatch
#132NinjaFirewall (WP Edition) – Advanced Security Plugin and Firewall221,2662,059100k+Non-prefixed global variable
#133NinjaScanner – Virus & Malware scan2259655130k+Non-prefixed global variable
#134WP OAuth Server (OAuth Authentication)221893473k+Non-prefixed function
#135Packeta228013338k+Exception output is not escaped
#136PDF Builder for WPForms22321266900SQL query is not prepared
#137Post SMTP – Complete Email Deliverability and SMTP Solution with Email Logs, Alerts, Backup SMTP & Mobile App221,5812,326300k+Non-prefixed global variable
#138Premium Addons for Elementor – Powerful Elementor Templates & Widgets222231,036700k+Non-prefixed hook name
#139Prime Mover – Migrate WordPress Website & Backups221,3261,60010k+Non-prefixed global variable
#140Product Catalog Feed by PixelYourSite225813578k+Output is not escaped
#141Pronamic Pay222581,0772k+Non-prefixed global variable
#142PageSpeed Ninja – Cache, Minify, Defer CSS JavaScript, Critical CSS, Optimize Images, Convert WebP229844075k+Unsafe printing function
#143RealPress – Real Estate Plugin226041,167500Non-prefixed global variable
#144Salon Booking System – Free Version226556202k+Missing direct file access protection
#145Seraphinite Accelerator2259425550k+Output is not escaped
#146Simple Job Board226341,35510k+Non-prefixed global variable
#147Slim Jetpack222,5861,9472k+Text Domain Mismatch
#148SNS Count Cache229181208k+Non Singular String Literal Domain
#149NextScripts: Social Networks Auto-Poster222,4081,13330k+Output is not escaped
#150SportsPress – Sports Club & League Manager224602,24210k+Non-prefixed global variable