becoming a respected wordpress developer
DESCRIPTION
A few thoughts on becoming a respected developer for WordPress. This includes the basics of the loop, template hierarchies, custom post types, determining a workflow and helping others among other things.TRANSCRIPT
BECOMING A RESPECTED WORDPRESS DEVELOPERA Primer for WordPress Development
ABOUT YOUR SPEAKER
David LaiettaWordPress Development and ConsultingCustom Theme DevelopmentTeaching and One-on-One [email protected]@davidlaietta
@davidlaietta
@davidlaietta
WHAT YOU NEED
Power User, DesignerHTML & CSS FundamentalsPHP & JavaScript basics preferred but not
needed to get startedNo specialized hardwareFree versions of all software needs exist
@davidlaietta
MASTER THE LOOP
http://codex.wordpress.org/The_LoopThe instructions in a template file that
pulls contentTells WordPress what information to
retrieve and display from databaseControlled via WP_QueryAllows custom queries of information <?php if ( have_posts() ) : while ( have_posts() ) : the_post(); ?>
@davidlaietta
THINK IN TEMPLATE TERMS
http://codex.wordpress.org/TemplatesControls how the site is displayedSpecific files pulled from template
hierarchy for content typesNaming conventions help structure datahttp://codex.wordpress.org/File:Template
_Hierarchy.png
@davidlaietta
CUSTOM POST TYPES
http://codex.wordpress.org/Post_TypesThings that aren’t standard pages/postsCan be registered by user, theme or pluginUseful for specific content typesCreates new top-level admin menuAllows top-level slug navigation
http://yoursite.com/portfolio/portfolio-item/
@davidlaietta
HOOKS, ACTIONS AND FILTERS
http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/Action_Reference
Hooks are places to add actions and filtersControls point of code executionActions add code to hooksFilters change existing actions
@davidlaietta
SAMPLE MANY, COMMIT TO FEW
Try out various web technologies and development techniques/programs
Determine your productive workflowSlowly phase out unnecessary
componentsContinually refine your toolbox
@davidlaietta
CHOOSE YOUR NICHE AND ATTACK!
Determine your passion in developmentExtensively study that passion areaDetermine shortcomings in existing
systems and softwareWork toward a more enjoyable
experience for users
@davidlaietta
THINK LIKE A CLIENT
Learn to anticipate client needsFollow up with clients regularlyManage their expectations earlyUnder-promise and over-deliverDemonstrate that they are paying for your
expertise, not your time
@davidlaietta
GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Repay in kind as you have been taughtRelease GPL licensed codeContribute to WordPressForums, Handbooks, Core, UI, etc.Earn respect of peers and clientsAttract a higher quality clienteleShare the secret with others!