Custom Functionality

[cynthianorman]

Details

• Content type: Lesson
• Content title: Custom functionality
• Topic description: This lesson dives into the theme’s functions file (functions.php) and how you can use it to add your own functionality to a theme.
• Audience: Developer
• Experience Level: Intermediate

Learning Objectives

The learning objectives are to:

• Describe the purpose of a WordPress theme's functions.php file.
• Decide when to use a plugin instead of the functions.php file when developing a theme.
• List some common uses of the functions.php file for extending the functionality of WordPress.

Relevant Links

https://developer.wordpress.org/themes/core-concepts/custom-functionality/
WordPress Hooks (#2079)
Enqueuing CSS and JavaScript (#2183)

[github-actions]

Lesson Development Checklist

• Gather any relevant links to Support, Docs, or related material
• Description and Objectives finalized
• Lesson created and announced to the team for review
• Lesson reviewed
• Lesson video submitted and published to WPTV
• Lesson created on Learn.WordPress.org
• Lesson video published to YouTube
• Lesson on Learn.WordPress.org updated with YouTube video
• Lesson published to Learn.WordPress.org

[cynthianorman]

This Intermediate Theme Developer Learning Pathway Lesson is ready to be reviewed. Please follow the steps listed under Guidelines for reviewing content. Thank you for your contribution! ✨

https://youtu.be/3woz5fovfkM

[ironnysh]

Tutorial/Lessons Review Checklist

• Learning outcomes/objectives are clear.
• Technical concepts introduced in the content are accurate.
• The speed of demonstrations are easy to follow.
• The narration audio matches what is shown visually.
• Spelling and grammar are correct.
• Sound quality is consistent throughout the video.
• Brand Usage Guidelines and Promotional Guidelines are being followed.
• Media assets are all in the public domain (CC0).

A helpful overview, @cynthianorman. I appreciate the highlight of when to use a plugin instead of the functions.php.

At 2:28, the slide shows the soon-to-be-old design of the Theme Directory. It’s probably safe to replace it with the upcoming design that’s supposed to launch soon: https://wordpress.org/themes/?new-theme=1.

[cynthianorman]

@ironnysh ooooh I love your suggestion

[digitalchild]

Very clear overview. I agree that its great that you highlighted when to move your functionality into a plugin.

Tutorial/Lessons Review Checklist

Please tick all items you've confirmed:

• Learning outcomes/objectives are clear.
• Technical concepts introduced in the content are accurate.
• The speed of demonstrations are easy to follow.
• The narration audio matches what is shown visually.
• Spelling and grammar are correct.
• Sound quality is consistent throughout the video.
• Brand Usage Guidelines and Promotional Guidelines are being followed.
• Media assets are all in the public domain (CC0).

Leave an additional comment below with feedback. You can also share what you liked about this Tutorial.

[cynthianorman]

Thanks so much for your input @digitalchild

[jonathanbossenger]

https://youtu.be/S6OVsyP4FYA