Plugins are the main reason why WordPress CMS is able to support millions of blogs and websites around the world. Almost 29% of the total websites on the internet are powered by WordPress. The ability to extend WordPress to all your needs is a powerful CMS to choose WordPress over other alternatives. WordPress is the most powerful CMS framework.

It can be used to create highly flexible and scalable websites. I believe that the structure of extensions and themes is the main reason for success of WordPress as a CMS. There are approximately 21,000 free plugins on WordPress.

If you are into WordPress plugin development as a developer, you are recommended  that you learn how to build extensions, you can easily edit your site easily and gain great benefits as WordPress plugin developer. This article discusses the most important issues in WordPress Plugin Development, after you have learnt the basics of this CMS to a great extent.

Here are some of the steps or important tips that you need to follow to create a great plugin for WordPress website:

1. Create a plugin:

The first step is to create your own plugin folder / wp-content / plugins folder. Once you create a folder, you must place the plugin file in that folder. The main file requires a plug-in. The file must be named in a simple letter with a hyphen (-) in separate words. Example file name: wp-multi-slider.php

In the main file, the following command structure is needed to allow WordPress to recognize the extension.

2. Enable or disable the plug-in:

To activate the plugin, click the activation link in the plugin list. With a simple plugin you do not have to do anything when you activate it. However, creation of advanced plug-ins, plug-in settings, plug-in tables, etc. is required. Let’s see how to handle plugin activation and deactivation.

Plug-in activation hook:

WordPress has a function called register_activation_hook, which starts when the plug-in is activated. This method allows you to add a custom action when the plug-in is activated (see below).

Plugin invalidation hook:

By using register_deactivation_hook, you can handle plug-in deactivation by using activation type syntax. Deactivation lets you clear the resources, settings, and tables of the extension.

3. Create a custom table:

WordPress database table structure is very flexible and you can implement most customization features with the available table. However, you can also use more sophisticated systems such as shopping carts, task management systems and booking systems.In this case, you need to know how and when to create custom tables.

First, we look at the project requirements and attempt to use the wp_options table and metadata to save project-specific data in WordPress plugin development. If you think that the above table structure is not enough to achieve the required function, create a custom table as follows.

4. Include scripts and styles:

Although you can listen to scripts and styles anywhere, we recommend that you add scripts with the wp_enqueue_script function. This function checks whether the file is available and depends on other scripts. The following example shows how wp_enque_script is used effectively.

You can first register the stylesheet as a wp_register_style file and include the style file wp_enqueue_style. You must specify a unique tag and path for the style sheet. Next, paste the script with the wp_enqueue_script function. If it depends on another script, it is called the third parameter. I use jQuery as a dependency.

5. Create a shortcode:

A short code is a predefined code block that can be used anywhere. It is important to understand the short code as a plug-in developer. This is because plugin developers can add dynamic behavior to custom pages.
You can create a shortcode with the following syntax in WordPress plugin development:

Specify the short code names and functions for the add_shortcode function. Next, it restores the type of content displayed in the browser. The short code above creates a simple HTML button.

6. Filter content:

As you develop blog-related extensions, you need to consider filtering the content of messages and page content. Consider the following example.

Function sample_content_filter ($ content) {
$ banners = “Banner HTML”;
$ author = “Author HTML”;
$ Returns banner. $ content. $ author;
}
Add_filter (‘the_content’, ‘sample_content_filter’);

Conclusion:

Specify the short code names and functions for the add_shortcode function. Next, it restores the type of content displayed in the browser. The short code above creates a simple HTML button in WordPress plugin development.