Custom Shortcodes for WordPress

WordPress Short Code: A Powerful Tool to Simplify Website Functions

This article will explore WordPress shortcodes, a convenient and quick way to create dynamic and complex website features. Short code is like pseudo-code, which implements custom functions through function execution without the need to write complex PHP code.

Short code overview

WordPress shortcode is an efficient mechanism that generates dynamic and powerful elements with just a small amount of input. Developers usually create website functions through PHP code, but for non-developer users, it is not friendly to operate PHP code directly. Short code solves this problem perfectly, allowing users to create powerful website features using pseudo-code similar to macros. After the short code is called, it receives parameters (if any) and then performs custom functions through predefined functions. For example, you can create a beautiful button using the shortcode [pretty_button]阅读更多![/pretty_button].

Short code source

To use a short code, it must be registered with your website first. Short codes can come from the following ways:

• WordPress comes with short code: WordPress itself contains some predefined short codes, mainly used to create media elements such as galleries, titles, audio and video. For example, [video src="video-source.mp4"] can be embedded in a video player. For more information, please refer to the official WordPress documentation.

• Theme comes with short code: Many theme developers will provide a series of short codes to enhance website functionality. These short codes can create interactive elements, display content in a visually appealing way, or provide valuable information. When purchasing a topic, please check the documentation provided by the developer to learn about the included shortcodes and how to use them. Not all topics contain additional shortcodes.

• Plugin comes with short code: Many plug-ins that provide content (such as forms, sliders, interactive elements) come with short code. These short codes are usually detailed in the plugin developer website or WordPress plugin library. For example, the [woocommerce_cart] shortcode of the WooCommerce plugin can display the shopping cart.

Short code type

After understanding the source of short codes, let's take a look at two types of short codes:

• Non-enclosed shortcode: This type of shortcode does not contain or wrap other content, is a separate unit similar to the self-closed tag of HTML (e.g. <br>). For example, the [gallery] short code is used to display the gallery.

• Close Short Code: These short codes contain other elements or content, with start and end tags. For example, the [big_and_bold]这是加粗加大的文本[/big_and_bold] shortcode wraps the content in the <span></span> tag for style.

Create a custom shortcode

Creating a custom shortcode is relatively simple. It requires a callback function to define the function of the shortcode and register the shortcode using the add_shortcode($name, $callback_function) function. Add the code to the functions.php file of the child theme (don't modify the parent theme file directly!).

Define callback function

The

callback function defines the function of the short code and returns a value that will be displayed to the end user. The value can be a simple text or a complex dynamic form or slider. The simplest callback function is as follows:

function my_shortcode_callback_function(){
    return; 
}

Callback function parameters

The

callback function can receive three parameters: $atts, $content and $tag.

• $atts (Properties): An associative array containing properties or settings for short codes. For example, [audio preload="auto" autoplay="true" loop="true"], preload and autoplay in loop are attributes.

• $content (Content): For closed short codes, $content contains content between the start and end tags.

• $tag (Tag name): The name of the short code.

Use the shortcode_atts() function

shortcode_atts() Function is used to merge default attributes and user-provided attributes to simplify attribute processing:

function display_my_profession_callback($atts){
    $values = shortcode_atts(array(
        'profession_type' => 'other'
    ),$atts);
    // ... 处理 $values['profession_type'] ...
}

Use the do_shortcode() function

When processing $content containing other shortcodes, use the do_shortcode($content) function to process nested shortcodes recursively.

Use the add_shortcode() function to register a short code

Use the add_shortcode($name, $callback_function) function to register a short code:

add_shortcode('clear_content','clear_content_callback_function');

Summary

Mastering WordPress short codes can greatly simplify the creation of website functions, improve development efficiency, and provide non-developer users with a more convenient website customization experience.

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