How to Use PHP in WordPress
PHP is the programming language that WordPress is built on. So, if you want to create custom WordPress themes or plugins, you need to know how to code in PHP.
In this article, we will show you how to use PHP in WordPress, starting with the basics.
What is PHP?
PHP is a server-side scripting language. That means it runs on your web server and not on your visitor’s computer.
When a visitor loads a WordPress page, PHP code is executed on the server. The server then sends the results of the PHP code to the visitor’s browser.
All the WordPress core files are written in PHP. If you open up a file like wp-includes/formatting.php, you will see mostly PHP code.
Code written in PHP is executed on the server before the webpage is even sent to the visitor’s browser. That is why PHP is a powerful language and you can do a lot with it.
How to Use PHP in WordPress
Now that you know what PHP is, let’s take a look at how you can use it in WordPress.
In WordPress, PHP code is used to create Templates and Plugins.
Templates
A WordPress Template is a collection of files that control how your WordPress site will look and function.
All WordPress Themes have at least one file called style.css. This file controls the look of your website.
The style.css file is usually accompanied by some other template files like header.php, footer.php, and sidebar.php.
These files all work together to create the final HTML code that is sent to the visitor’s browser.
All WordPress Themes are made up of template files. If you want to create your own custom theme, then you need to learn how to code in PHP and create your own template files.
Plugins
A WordPress Plugin is a set of one or more functions written in the developer php programming language. They can be integrated into a website powered by WordPress.
When a plugin is activated, it can extend the functionality of WordPress by adding new features or modifying existing ones.
Plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. They can be used to add new features to your website or modify existing ones.
