writing a wordpress theme - highedweb 2013 #wrk2
DESCRIPTION
A basic introduction to creating a new WordPress themeTRANSCRIPT
WORDPR
ESS THEMES
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DIFFERENT
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THEMES
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FRAMEWORKS, PARENTS & CHILDREN
• Parent Theme• A base theme that sets up functionality• Can be extended• Must be written to allow overrides
• Child Theme• Extends a parent theme• Can carry over or override elements from parent• Cannot be extended without plugins
• Framework• Not a full theme; more of a plugin for a theme• Allows creation of parent and child themes with shared functionality
http://justintadlock.com/archives/2010/08/16/frameworks-parent-child-and-grandchild-themes
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EXAMPLES
Hybrid Core is a framework. - http://themehybrid.com/hybrid-core
• No theme structure• Full package goes inside parent theme
Genesis “Framework” is a parent theme - http://www.studiopress.com/features •Has a theme structure• Can be used on its own•Does not go inside of another theme
TwentyTwelve is a parent theme - http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/twentytwelve • Although it has less of a framework built in, same concept as Genesis
“Education” is a child theme - http://my.studiopress.com/themes/education/ • Cannot be used without Genesis (parent theme) installed
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START
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THEME
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REQUIRED FILES
CSS Stylesheet (style.css)*• Implements the CSS for the theme• Not included by default• enqueue it in functions.php or • use <link href=“<?php bloginfo( ‘stylesheet_uri’ ) ?>”/> in <head>
• Provides base information about the theme• Theme name, URI, version, license, etc. (http://
codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development#Theme_Stylesheet)
Index (index.php)• Implements the structure of the theme• Can be split out into multiple files• Acts as fallback for all pages**
* - style.css is the only file required in a child theme; all others fallback to parent theme
** - the Template Hierarchy governs which files are used for each page; index is the final fallback
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TYPICAL THEME FILES
Theme Functions (functions.php)• Central location for function, variable, constant defintions used in theme• Included automatically by theme engine before after_setup_theme action
Default Sidebar (sidebar.php)•Outputs default sidebar (get_sidebar())
Default WordPress Loop (loop.php)• Not included automatically by theme• Used to separate “the loop”*** from other structure
Comments Template (comments.php)• List of comments and comment form; use comments_template() to include
Search (search.php)• Search results template; automatically used on search results page
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MOAR THEME FILES
Automatic Template Files (page.php, 404.php, single.php)• Used automatically based on type of page being shown; •Overrides index.php (see the Template Hierarchy)
Miscellaneous Files (sidebar-[slug].php, etc.)• Include with the get_template_part( ‘sidebar’, ‘[slug]’ ) function• Sidebar, header and footer files can be included with:• get_sidebar( ‘[slug]’ )• get_header( ‘[slug]’ )• get_footer( ‘[slug]’ )
Header and Footer (header.php, footer.php)• Not included automatically • Call with get_header() & get_footer()
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TEMPL
ATE H
IERARCHY
HO
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WH
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THE WORDPRESS TEMPLATE HIERARCHY
WordPress automatically searches for appropriate theme template file
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THE LO
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WHAT IS “THE LOOP”?
The Loop outputs the main content area• Loops through all matching content objects
if ( have_posts() ) : while ( have_posts() ) : the_post();
// Output all of your content
endwhile; endif;
have_posts() and the_post()•Global methods of main query object ($wp_query)• have_posts() generates array of “post” objects• the_post() sets global variables related to current post object
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OTHER “LOOP” FUNCTIONS
Inside the loop, various functions are available
• the_title() – echoes the title of the current post
• the_content() – echoes the body of the current post
• the_post_thumbnail() – echoes the “featured image” for current post
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MOAR LOOP TIPS
If you need to use the same query loop more than once:
• Use rewind_posts() to reset the loop to be used again
You can start your own loop with a custom query:
$myquery = new WP_Query( ‘[query parameters go here]’ );
if ( $myquery->have_posts() ) : while ( $myquery->have_posts() ) : $myquery->the_post();
// Your custom loop stuff hereendwhile; endif;
• Don’t alter the global $wp_query or use query_posts() unless you know what you’re doing
• Use get_posts() or create your own loop, instead
CREATIN
G THE T
HEME
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STEP 1: DESIGN
• Identify goals
• Wireframe and design
• Layout priorities
• Final template design
• Initial HTML layout
STEP 2: DIVIDE AND CONQUER
• Identify layout elements
• Identify content elements
• Identify visual decoration
• Determine common elements
• Identify alternative layouts
STEP 3: DEVELOP
• Begin developing basic layout
• Separate layout elements from content elements
• Replace content elements with placeholders
• Create layout structure and style
• Develop content containers (body, widgets, footer, header, etc.)
• Develop custom functionality
JUST
DO IT!
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LET’S DO THIS THING
Examine Theme Design – http://2013.highedweb.org/
Identify Theme Elements
Create required files
style.css - http://j.mp/153SWWv
index.php – wp_head() & wp_footer() - http://j.mp/153Tagt
functions.php (not required, but recommended)
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QUESTIONS? COMMENTS?
Twitter: @cgrymala
Website(s): http://umw.edu/ (Multi-Network Setup)
http://ten-321.com/
http://svn.ten-321.com/ (SVN Repo)
http://wphighed.org/ (WP resources for Higher Ed)
Email: [email protected]
SpeakerRate: http://spkr8.com/s/10608
http://about.me/cgrymala
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