Simplified Database Definition Syntax that uses a database prefix creates false "4-byte UTF-8 support" report

[Mike-Ket]

Description of the bug

A site that uses a DB prefix defined in the simplified database definition syntax creates a false report of "Database needs conversion" to 4-byte UTF-8 support. Also, running a conversion throws a fatal error.

See:
https://forum.backdropcms.org/forum/mysql-database-4-byte-utf-8-support
for background information.

Steps To Reproduce

To reproduce the behavior:

1. Softilicious install of new BD site in preperation for migration.
2. Migrated BD site to new location using Backup & Migrate.
3. At the new site location the Status Report throws an error as shown in:

• Config Error Screenshot 2025-11-28 091838.png

3. Click on Convert Existing Tables and an error is thrown:

• SQL Error Screenshot 2025-11-28 091653.png

Actual behavior

Fatal error thrown.

Expected behavior

I have no idea!

Additional information

Add any other information that could help, such as:

• Backdrop CMS version: 1.32.1
• Web server and its version:
• PHP version:
• Database sever (MySQL or MariaDB?) and its version:

• Operating System and its version: W11
• Browser(s) and their versions: Firefox

[argiepiano]

Thanks for reporting. We discussed this in the forum.

To clarify, by "simple syntax" the OP means the simplified syntax introduced in 1.30.0 as explained here. The "complex" syntax defined here (which uses the variable $databases in plural) does not produce this false report.