The document discusses using template tags and custom queries in WordPress themes. It introduces common template tags like THE_CONTENT(), THE_TITLE(), and THE_DATE() and explains the difference between using QUERY_POSTS to modify the main loop versus using GET_POSTS() to create secondary loops. It also provides an example of how to use QUERY_POSTS to query posts from a specific category or custom post type.

1. THE LOOP
JAKE SPURLOCK
@WHYISJAKE JAKESPURLOCK.COM

2. DEVELOPERS IN
THE HOUSE?

3. OVERVIEW
INTRODUCE THE LOOP
BASIC TEMPLATE TAGS
CUSTOM QUERIES
MULTIPLE LOOPS PAGE
CUSTOM POST TYPES

4. GET STARTED...
WHY NOT JUST LOOK AT CODE EH?

5. SIMPLEST INDEX PAGE
<?PHP
IF (HAVE_POSTS()) :
WHILE (HAVE_POSTS()) :
THE_POST();
THE_CONTENT();
ENDWHILE;
ENDIF;
?>

6. TEMPLATE TAGS
.:THE BREAD AND BUTTER OF THEME DESIGNERS:.

7. TEMPLATE TAGS
THE_CONTENT() THE_META();
THE_TITLE() THE_ID()
THE_PERMALINK() THE_POST_THUMBNAIL()
THE_CATEGORY() THE_AUTHOR()
THE_TAGS() THE_SHORTLINK()
THE_DATE() EDIT_POST_LINK()
CODEX.WORDPRESS.ORG/TEMPLATE_TAGS
THE_EXCERPT()

8. CUSTOM QUERIES

9. QUERY_POSTS
VS.
GET_POSTS

10. QUERY_POSTS
WHEN YOU WANT TO CHANGE THE MAIN LOOP
EXCLUDE CATEGORIES FROM MAIN LOOP
SHOW POSTS FROM ONLY ONE CATEGORY.

11. IMPORTANT NOTE
THE QUERY_POSTS FUNCTION IS INTENDED TO BE USED
TO MODIFY THE MAIN PAGE LOOP ONLY. IT IS NOT
INTENDED AS A MEANS TO CREATE SECONDARY LOOPS
ON THE PAGE. IF YOU WANT TO CREATE SEPARATE
LOOPS OUTSIDE OF THE MAIN ONE, YOU SHOULD USE
GET_POSTS() INSTEAD. USE OF QUERY_POSTS ON LOOPS
OTHER THAN THE MAIN ONE CAN RESULT IN YOUR MAIN
LOOP BECOMING INCORRECT AND POSSIBLY DISPLAYING
THINGS THAT YOU WERE NOT EXPECTING.
THE QUERY_POSTS FUNCTION OVERRIDES AND
REPLACES THE MAIN QUERY FOR THE PAGE. TO SAVE
YOUR SANITY, DO NOT USE IT FOR ANY OTHER PURPOSE.

12. <?php
//The Query
query_posts('posts_per_page=5');
//The Loop
if ( have_posts() ) : while ( have_posts() ) :
the_post();
..
endwhile; else:
..
endif;
//Reset Query
wp_reset_query();
?>

13. CUSTOM POST TYPES?

14. QUERY_POSTS WITH
CUSTOM POST TYPES
QUERY_POSTS( 'POST_TYPE=NAME 0F POST TYPE');
QUERY_POSTS(ARRAY('POST_TYPE' => ARRAY('POST',
'MOVIES')));

15. PLUGIN?
ADD_FILTER( 'PRE_GET_POSTS', 'MY_GET_POSTS' );
FUNCTION MY_GET_POSTS( $QUERY ) {
! IF ( IS_HOME() && FALSE == $QUERY-
>QUERY_VARS['SUPPRESS_FILTERS'] )
! ! $QUERY->SET( 'POST_TYPE', ARRAY( 'POST', 'PAGE', 'ALBUM',
'MOVIE', 'QUOTE', 'ATTACHMENT' ) );
! RETURN $QUERY;
}
VIA JUSTIN TADLOCK