WordPress is the most commonly used content management systems (CMS) used globally and is renowned for their ease of use, flexibility and provides great features right off the box. If you are a developer, you should know common and basic WordPress functions. This post is meant to discuss some basic functions which every WordPress developer must know.
Why Basic WordPress Functions Matter
For beginners, mastering basic WordPress functions is the first step towards efficient WordPress development. These functions help in :
Essential Basic WordPress Functions
Here are some of the most commonly used basic WordPress functions :
1. get_header() :
The get_header() function is used to include the header template in a WordPress theme. This function is typically called in the theme’s template files (e.g., index.php, single.php) to load the header.
<?php get_header(); ?>
2. get_footer() :
Similar to get_header(), the get_footer() function includes the footer template, which usually contains the closing tags, footer widgets, and any scripts that should be loaded before the closing </body> tag.
<?php get_footer(); ?>
3. get_sidebar() :
The get_sidebar() function includes the sidebar template. This function is useful when you want to add a sidebar to your theme.
<?php get_sidebar(); ?>
4. the_title() :
The the_title() function displays the title of a post or a page. This function is typically used within the loop.
<?php the_title(); ?>
5. the_content() :
The the_content() function displays the content of a post or a page. It is also used within the loop.
<?php the_content(); ?>6. wp_nav_menu() :
The wp_nav_menu() function displays a navigation menu created in the WordPress admin panel. This function allows you to add custom menus to your theme.
<?php
wp_nav_menu( array(
'theme_location' => 'primary',
'menu_id' => 'primary-menu',
) );
?>7. is_front_page() :
The is_front_page() function checks if the current page is the front page of the website. It’s useful for customizing the front page display.
<?php if ( is_front_page() ) : ?>
<h1>Welcome to Our Website</h1>
<?php endif; ?>8. wp_head() :
The wp_head() function is used to include necessary scripts, styles, and meta tags in the head section of your theme. This function should be called in the <head> section of your theme’s header file.
<head>
<?php wp_head(); ?>
</head>9. wp_footer() :
The wp_footer() function is used to include necessary scripts before the closing </body> tag. It’s essential for loading footer scripts and other functionalities.
<?php wp_footer(); ?>10. add_action() :
The add_action() function hooks a function onto a specific action. Actions are defined points in the WordPress core where you can execute your custom functions.
add_action('wp_head', 'my_custom_function');11. add_filter() :
The add_filter() function hooks a function or method to a specific filter. Filters allow you to modify data before it is used.
add_filter('the_content', 'my_custom_content_filter');12. wp_enqueue_script() :
The wp_enqueue_script() function is used to add scripts to your theme or plugin. It ensures that scripts are loaded in the correct order and only when needed.
function my_custom_scripts() {
wp_enqueue_script('my-script', get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/my-script.js', array('jquery'), null, true);
}
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'my_custom_scripts');13. wp_enqueue_style() :
Similar to wp_enqueue_script(), the wp_enqueue_style() function is used to add stylesheets to your theme or plugin.
function my_custom_styles() {
wp_enqueue_style('my-style', get_template_directory_uri() . '/css/my-style.css');
}
add_action('wp_enqueue_scripts', 'my_custom_styles');14. wp_list_pages() :
The wp_list_pages() function generates a list of pages in your site. This is commonly used to create navigation menus.
<ul>
<?php wp_list_pages(); ?>
</ul>15. is_single() :
The is_single() function checks if the current page is a single post. It’s often used to customize the appearance or behavior of individual blog posts.
<?php if ( is_single() ) : ?>
<div class="single-post">
<?php the_content(); ?>
</div>
<?php endif; ?>15. get_template_part() :
The get_template_part() function is used to include smaller template files within your theme. It allows for better code organization and reuse of common components.
<?php get_template_part('template-parts/content', 'page'); ?>Tips for Using Basic WordPress Functions
Conclusion
Understanding and utilizing basic WordPress functions is essential for anyone looking to develop or customize WordPress themes. By mastering these functions, you can significantly improve your development workflow and create more dynamic and functional websites. Keep exploring and practicing, and soon you’ll be well-versed in WordPress development.
For more comprehensive information, visit the WordPress Developer Resources and the WordPress Codex.
