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 (https://github.com/WordPress/Learn/issues/2079) Enqueuing CSS and JavaScript (https://github.com/WordPress/Learn/issues/2183)

[github-actions[bot]]

Lesson Development Checklist

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

• [x] Learning outcomes/objectives are clear.
• [x] Technical concepts introduced in the content are accurate.
• [x] The speed of demonstrations are easy to follow.
• [x] The narration audio matches what is shown visually.
• [x] Spelling and grammar are correct.
• [x] 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:

• [x] Learning outcomes/objectives are clear.
• [x] Technical concepts introduced in the content are accurate.
• [x] The speed of demonstrations are easy to follow.
• [x] The narration audio matches what is shown visually.
• [x] Spelling and grammar are correct.
• [x] 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

[cynthianorman]

@jonathanbossenger

YouTube chapters

(0:06) Learning objectives (0:33) Describe the purpose of a WordPress theme's functions.php file (2:25) Decide when to use a plugin instead of the functions.php file when developing a theme (3:09) List some common uses of the functions.php file for extending the functionality of WordPress. (4:21) Next steps

[cynthianorman]

//publish