WordPress Functionality Plugins

What are they? Why do I recommend them? And how can you create one?

Transcript

1. WORDPRESS FUNCTIONALITY PLUGINS What are they, why should I use one, and how can I create one?
2. WHO AM I • Ryan Cowles • Happiness Engineer at Automattic • Front end / WordPress developer • Building websites for over 16 years • Building good websites for 6+ years • Working with WordPress for 5+ years
3. WHAT IS A FUNCTIONALITY PLUGIN? • A plugin built on a site-per-site basis • A plugin created to hold the custom functionality of a website
4. WHY SHOULD I USE ONE? • You can easily make tweaks and adjustments to your site • You don’t have to alter core files • You won’t lose functionality if you change themes • It can easily be moved with the site
5. HOW DO I CREATE ONE? • You create it just like any other WordPress plugin • If you haven’t created a plugin before, this is a great place to start
6. •Create a new PHP file in a new directory •Enter the standard WordPress plugin info (#):
7. •Add your functions, tweaks, and code snippets •Can include additional files:
8. • Important to track changes • Good for your own reference • Good for other user/developers who are currently working on the site, or may in the future INCLUDE A README
9. HOW DO I UPLOAD IT? 1. Zip the plugin directory 2. Login to your Dashboard 3. Go to Plugins > Add New 4. Click Upload 5. Upload the zip, install and activate 1. FTP to ~/wp-content/plugins 2. Upload the plugin contents 3. Login to your Dashboard 4. Go to Plugins 5. Activate your plugin via the Dashboard via FTP
10. WHOOMP THERE IT IS
11. WHAT ABOUT FUNCTIONS.PHP? • Functions.php still has a purpose • It should be home to any functionality that is theme specific Source: (#)
12. RESOURCES • https://codex.wordpress.org/Writing_a_Plugin • http://www.billerickson.net/core-functionality-plugin/ • http://wpcandy.com/teaches/how-to-create-a-functionality- plugin/ • http://www.searchenginepeople.com/blog/why-when-and- how-to-create-a-wordpress-functionality-plugin.html
13. SHAMELESS SELF PROMOTION • http://ryanscowles.com • http://ryancowles.wordpress.com • Twitter: @MrRyanCowles • http://en.gravatar.com/ryancowles
14. ANY QUESTIONS?