What is the WordPress Filesystem API (`WP_Filesystem`) and why should it be used instead of direct PHP file operations?

Question

WordPress Expert — Medium

What is the WordPress Filesystem API (`WP_Filesystem`) and why should it be used instead of direct PHP file operations?

Accepted Answer

The WordPress Filesystem API (`WP_Filesystem`) is used to support multiple filesystem methods like direct, FTP, and SSH, making it essential for handling permission restrictions in managed hosting environments. It ensures file operations work across various server configurations by handling credential prompting and providing a secure way to interact with files.