How to Write a Simple WordPress Plugin

In the WordPress Codex is an article on How to Write a WordPress Plugin which takes you step-by-step through the process. You would think that if it is in the WordPress Codex that it would be simple and easy to understand, but for some it is still a challenge.

So Owen Winkler of Asymptomatic wrote up a simpler version of How to Write a Simple WordPress Plugin to help even the most technically challenged understand how the process works.

Winkler, a long time supporter, helper, writer, developer, and plugin author for WordPress, is the veteran you should turn to for expert advice and tips on how to do just about anything with WordPress. If I can brag on him for a moment, much of the incredibly hard work to push through WordPress 2.0 is due to his diligence and perserverance. Many played a variety of roles, but Winkler was one of the kick-ass volunteers on the project for sure. He’ll never tell you, so someone has to.

Winkler takes you step-by-step through the process of writing the most basic and simple of plugins. You will learn about making the header which WordPress uses to recognize the plugin in the Plugin Administration Panel. You learn about variables, hooks, and core basics to expand what you can do with WordPress.

Many people who are not programmers have found a need in their WordPress blog and within a short amount of time have managed to write a plugin to make WordPress do what they want. It’s that easy.

So if you are brave and have a need to push or pull WordPress to meet your needs, check out both of these great documents and soon you will be writing your own WordPress Plugin.

Oh, and after you do, consider reading the following and then submitting your WordPress Plugin to the official WordPress Plugins List.

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Copyright Lorelle VanFossen

This entry was written by Lorelle VanFossen and posted on March 2, 2006 at 8:35 am and filed under WordPress Tips. Bookmark the permalink. Follow any comments here with the RSS feed for this post. Post a comment or leave a trackback: Trackback URL.