Why & How to Create a WordPress Plugin
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The document presents a guide on creating WordPress plugins by Joe Querin, focusing on the fundamentals and practical approaches for plugin development. It covers the definition and purpose of plugins, types of plugins, and offers insights on when and how to create them, including examples and resources. The document also differentiates between plugins and theme functions, providing a basis for best practices in WordPress development.
Why & How to Create a WordPress Plugin
- 1. Why & How to Createa WordPressPlugin Joe Querin – www.joequerin.com NEO WP West Meetup – June 6, 2017 @joequerin joecue joecue
- 2. { About: Joe } • Graphic Design major • Self taught Web Developer for 19+ years • Currently work full-time at Lorain County Community College for 18+ years. • WordPress experience last 6 years • Recently completed moving our college website to WordPress, and working on an additional 6- 8. www.joequerin.com
- 3. { Overview } • What is a Plugin? • Why create a Plugin? • When should you create a Plugin? • Ways to write a plugin. • Demo • Questions
- 4. { What is a Plugin? } • Code that adds functionality (Custom Post Type or Custom Fields, etc) • Code that alters WordPress Core code (filters/actions) • Code to create Widgets • Many more…
- 5. { Why Create a Plugin? } • Custom functionality that does not already exist. • Want to improve upon an existing plugin idea. • Need to add functionality that directly impacts unique content. • You want to see if you can!
- 6. { Types of Plugins } • Standard Plugin /wp-content/plugin/ • MU-Plugin (Must Use Plugin) /wp-content/mu-plugins/ • Drop-ins /wp-content/ Don’t have plugin headers, just PHP code.
- 7. { Current List of Dropins } File Type of Plugin advanced-cache.php Advanced Caching Plugin (Caching plugins often use this file) db.php Custom database class db-error.php Custom database error message. install.php Custom install script maintenance.php Custom maintenance message. object-cache.php External object cache. As of WordPress 4.7.5 – June 2017
- 8. { Plugin vs Functions.php } • On-going debate within the community • My rule of thumb (not really mine, since I borrowed the ideas from the community) – If the functions will create content dependencies, place the functions in a plugin. – A content dependency would be a custom post type, custom fields. Things the site needs to function, without these the site will break. – If the functions are more suited for theme needs (custom image sizes, excerpt length, filter or action that effects content display), then place those functions in the theme. – If in doubt, create a plugin
- 9. { Ways to Write a Plugin } • Site Specific Plugin – WPBeginner • Very simple and lightweight, good for simple plugins • WPPB.me – Tom McFarlin and Devin Vinson • Very robust and developer centric. Great foundation for a very feature rich and organized plugin.
- 10. { Site Specific Plugin Template } <?php /* Plugin Name: Site Plugin for example.com Description: Site specific code changes for example.com */ /* Start Adding Functions Below this Line */ /* Stop Adding Functions Below this Line */ ?>
- 11. Code Demo!!
- 12. { Before we begin } • What type of plugin are you building? • What are you building? • Plan? • Features? • Research?
- 13. { Questions? } Joe Querin www.joequerin.com @joequerin joecue joecue
- 14. { Links Mentioned } • WPBeginner Site Specific http://www.wpbeginner.com/beginners-guide/what-why-and- how-tos-of-creating-a-site-specific-wordpress-plugin/ • WordPress Plugin Boiler Plate https://wppb.me/ • WordPress Settings API https://codex.wordpress.org/Settings_API • Creating Custom Metaboxes https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2011/10/create-custom- post-meta-boxes-wordpress
- 15. { Links Mentioned (cont’d) } • MU-Plugins https://codex.wordpress.org/Must_Use_Plugins • Drop-ins http://wpengineer.com/2500/wordpress-dropins/ https://hakre.wordpress.com/2010/05/01/must-use- and-drop-ins-plugins/ •