Essentials for building your first Gutenberg block

PHP developers may find coding for Gutenberg, the new WordPress editor, challenging due to its reliance on React and JavaScript. The author shares personal experiences and tips for adapting to this new paradigm, highlighting the importance of studying the Gutenberg team's code for better understanding. Intensive use of the WordPress editor can help discover reusable functionalities, and developers are encouraged to explore Gutenberg's documentation, despite its complexity. The guide advises using the @wordpress/create-block package for scaffolding, distinguishing between blocks and components, and reusing Gutenberg components when appropriate. It also suggests exploring external component libraries and styling with Sass, while providing insights on customizing webpack. Keeping blocks updated with Gutenberg's frequent releases is emphasized, cautioning against potential breaking changes. The text concludes by weighing the complexity of Gutenberg against legacy WordPress solutions, advising developers to assess their actual needs before committing to using Gutenberg.