This article continues from the previous one on common template names and header functions, now focusing on essential template functions and tags used in WordPress theme development.
Common Template Functions
| Function | Description |
|---|---|
<?php the_content(); ?> |
Displays the content of the current post or page. |
<?php if(have_posts()): ?> |
Checks if there are posts in the main query. |
<?php while(have_posts()): the_post(); ?> |
Starts the main loop, iterating and setting up post data. |
<?php endwhile; ?> |
Ends the main loop. |
<?php endif; ?> |
Ends a conditional statement. |
<?php get_header(); ?> |
Includes the header template (header.php). |
<?php get_sidebar(); ?> |
Includes the sidebar template (sidebar.php). |
<?php get_footer(); ?> |
Includes the footer template (footer.php). |
<?php the_time('m-d-y'); ?> |
Displays the post publication time (e.g., '08-18-07'). |
<?php comments_popup_link(); ?> |
Displays a comment link (deprecated; use comments_template()). |
<?php the_title(); ?> |
Displays the post title. |
<?php the_permalink(); ?> |
Displays the permanent link of the current post. |
<?php the_category(); ?> |
Displays a list of links to the post's categories. |
<?php the_author(); ?> |
Displays the post author's name. |
<?php the_ID(); ?> |
Displays the post ID. |
<?php edit_post_link(); ?> |
Displays an edit link for the post (visible to admins). |
<?php wp_list_bookmarks(); ?> |
Displays a list of bookmarks/links (requires Link Manager). |
<?php comments_template(); ?> |
Includes the comments template (comments.php). |
<?php wp_list_pages(); ?> |
Displays a list of pages. |
<?php wp_list_categories(); ?> |
Displays a list of categories. |
<?php next_post_link('%link'); ?> |
Displays a link to the next post. |
<?php previous_post_link('%link'); ?> |
Displays a link to the previous post. |
<?php get_calendar(); ?> |
Displays a calendar of posts. |
<?php wp_get_archives(); ?> |
Displays a list of post archives. |
<?php posts_nav_link(); ?> |
Displays pagination navigation links (for post lists). |
<?php rewind_posts(); ?> |
Resets the post pointer for the current query to start a second loop. |
<?php get_permalink(); ?> |
Retrieves the permanent link for a specified post ID (distinct from the_permalink()). |