After having attained incredible appreciation as one of the best blogging platforms, WordPress has come up as a widely used web development tool. The ever-increasing count of WordPress websites includes personal blogs, corporate websites and a variety of other web solutions.
This growing demand for WordPress websites has brought in remarkable improvements in the field of WordPress plugin development. This is simply because plugins have played a major role in improvising the overall functionality of WordPress powered websites. If you too are a WordPress plugin developer seeking expert advice on ensuring guaranteed success in WordPress plugin development projects then this is the blog you can’t miss for sure.
Here, I’ll be offering 10 amazing tips on ensuring success in all WordPress plugin development ventures.
Tip No.1- Use clear and consistent coding standards
While performing coding for your WordPress plugin, make sure to keep an eye on the important aspects such as spacing, variable naming, indenting and commenting. You must make sure to use namespacing for all the functions included within the coding. You can do this by using short, common function names that would avoid any conflicts arising out of same function written by a different coder.
Tip No.2- Opt for credible web services
Since the internet is crowded with ample number of services ranging from stock quotes to the weather forecasts etc, it is essential to make an intelligent choice. You must make sure to use the HTTP APID that will handle all your remote data access requests.
Tip No.3- Make it a point to load components that you need
During WordPress Plugin Development, make sure to load the components that you actually need for the respective section of the website. The components that I’m referring to include javascript, stylesheets and various other scripts. Never opt for loading the administrator scripts on the front-end and vice-versa.
Tip No.4- Turn on WordPress debugging feature
In order to assure 100% bug-free status of your WordPress plugin, opt for turning “ON” the debugging function. This debugger will detect any errors in your code and prevent your plugin from crashing due to a wrongly written code. For turning on WordPress debug for your website, all you need to do is simply place the below mentioned code in your wp-config.php file:
[symple_box color=”blue” text_align=”left” width=”100%” float=”none”]
define(‘WP_DEBUG’, TRUE);
[/symple_box]
Tip No.5- Get feedback from your peers
Getting peers to review your code is an excellent means of checking the plugin’s quality. Different individuals will analyze your code from different perspectives, thereby helping you receive a detailed testing report. You’ll come to know about the faults that you might have skipped during your own testing schedule.
Tip No.6- Get to know about the WordPress function library
The WordPress Community is continuously working towards resolving the issues encountered by global WordPress users. Whether it’s about solving a programming error or altering the code length, a quick access to the WordPress function library will work in your favor. Here, you’ll find a good amount of information on various aspects attached to the WordPress plugin development process.
Tip No.7- Access a good WordPress Code Forum
Internet is crowded with WordPress code forums where you can find plenty of solutions for numerous WordPress plugin development issues. Choose an authentic forum that has an answer to each of your queries.
Tip No.8- Avoid using outdated functions
WordPress is full of functions that have lost their significance over the years. As a WordPress plugin developer, you must avoid using outdated functions that may hamper the long-term performance of the plugin. Don’t forget to look up every function in WordPress codex to see if it has been marked as deprecated. Here, you’ll be able to find a link to the updated function.
Tip No.9- Pay special attention to your plugin’s security
Ensuring security for your WordPress plugin is perhaps one of the most crucial aspects of WordPress plugin development. You must sanitize inputs and escape the outputs by making yourself familiar with esc url, esc attr, esc url raw etc.
Tip No.10- Work out a strategy
Well, yes, it is essential to come up with a strategy that will allow you to complete your WordPress plugin development project within a short span of time. Seek answers for questions such as What’s the sole purpose of my plugin? Will my plugin contribute to the WordPress community etc.
Wrapping Up
Developing a WordPress plugin is definitely an awesome experience. You must take pride in announcing the release of your WordPress plugin because you’ve actually taken pains in developing it for the users. Hope the above tips will allow you to enjoy your journey of developing a WordPress plugin.
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