[Nadir Keval]

WordPress includes a default theme in each new installation. Examine the files in the default theme carefully to get a better idea of how to build your own Theme files.

[Nadir Keval]

For example, a Theme named “test” would reside in the directory wp-content/themes/test/. Avoid using numbers for the theme name, as this prevents it from being displayed in the available themes list.

[Nadir Keval]

It’s an opportunity to put your expertise with CSS, HTML, and PHP to work.
It’s creative.
It’s fun (most of the time).
If you release it to the public, you can feel good that you shared and gave something back to the WordPress Community (okay, bragging rights)

[Nadir Keval]

Why should you build your own WordPress Theme? That’s the real question.

It’s an opportunity to learn more about CSS, HTML, and PHP.

[Nadir Keval]

Why should you build your own WordPress Theme? That’s the real question.

It’s an opportunity to learn more about CSS, HTML, and PHP.

[Nadir Keval]

It allows for quick changes of the visual design and layout of a WordPress site.
It removes the need for a typical WordPress site owner to have to learn CSS, HTML, and PHP in order to have a great-looking website.

[Nadir Keval]

To quickly switch between two site layouts, or to take advantage of a Theme or style switcher to allow site owners to change the look of your site.

[Nadir Keval]

To create a unique look for your WordPress site.
To take advantage of templates, template tags, and the WordPress Loop to generate different website results and looks.
To provide alternative templates for specific site features, such as category pages and search result pages.

[Nadir Keval]

You may wish to develop WordPress Themes for your own use, for a client project or to submit to the WordPress Theme Directory. Why else should you build a WordPress Theme?

[Nadir Keval]

Display a list of posts in excerpt or full-length form. Choose one or the other as appropriate.
The search results page show the search term which generated the results. It’s a simple but useful way to remind someone what they just searched for — especially in the case of zero results. Use the_search_query() or get_search_query() (display or return the value, respectively). For example:

[Nadir Keval]

Author comment should be highlighted differently.
Display gravatars (user avatars) if appropriate.
Support threaded comments.
Display trackbacks/pingbacks.
This file shouldn’t contain function definitions unless in the function_exist() check to avoid redeclaration errors. Ideally all functions should be in functions.php.

[Nadir Keval]

Display the author name (if appropriate).
Display post categories and post tags.
Display an “Edit” link for logged-in users with edit permissions.
Display comment list and comment form.
Show navigation links to next and previous post using previous_post_link() and next_post_link().

[Nadir Keval]

Display the post date.
Respect the date and time format settings unless it’s important to the design. (User settings for date and time format are in Administration Panels > Settings > General).
For output based on the user setting, use the_time( get_option( ‘date_format’ ) ).

[Nadir Keval]

Display archive title (tag, category, date-based, or author archives).
Display a list of posts in excerpt or full-length form. Choose one or the other as appropriate.
Include wp_link_pages() to support navigation links within posts.

[Nadir Keval]

Display a list of posts in excerpt or full-length form. Choose one or the other as appropriate.
Include wp_link_pages() to support navigation links within posts.

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