This document provides tips for becoming a respected WordPress developer. It recommends mastering the WordPress loop, which controls how content is retrieved and displayed from the database. Developers should think in template terms and understand how specific template files are used to display different content types. The document also suggests using custom post types to create custom content areas, as well as hooks, actions and filters to control the flow of code execution. Developers are advised to sample different technologies, focus on a particular niche, think like a client, and give back to the open source community.

1. BECOMING A RESPECTED
WORDPRESS DEVELOPER
A Primer for WordPress Development

2. ABOUT YOUR SPEAKER
David Laietta
WordPress Development and Consulting
Custom Theme Development
Teaching and One-on-One Training
david@davidlaietta.com
@davidlaietta
@davidlaietta

3. WHAT YOU NEED
Power User, Designer
HTML & CSS Fundamentals
PHP & JavaScript basics preferred but not
needed to get started
No specialized hardware
Free versions of all software needs exist
@davidlaietta

4. MASTER THE LOOP
http://codex.wordpress.org/The_Loop
The instructions in a template file that
pulls content
Tells WordPress what information to
retrieve and display from database
Controlled via WP_Query
Allows custom queries of information
 <?php if ( have_posts() ) : while ( have_posts() ) : the_post(); ?>
@davidlaietta

5. THINK IN TEMPLATE TERMS
http://codex.wordpress.org/Templates
Controls how the site is displayed
Specific files pulled from template
hierarchy for content types
Naming conventions help structure data
http://codex.wordpress.org/File:Template
_Hierarchy.png
@davidlaietta

6. CUSTOM POST TYPES
http://codex.wordpress.org/Post_Types
Things that aren’t standard pages/posts
Can be registered by user, theme or plugin
Useful for specific content types
Creates new top-level admin menu
Allows top-level slug navigation
http://yoursite.com/portfolio/portfolio-item/
@davidlaietta

7. HOOKS, ACTIONS AND FILTERS
http://codex.wordpress.org/Plugin_API/A
ction_Reference
Hooks are places to add actions and filters
Controls point of code execution
Actions add code to hooks
Filters change existing actions
@davidlaietta

8. SAMPLE MANY, COMMIT TO FEW
Try out various web technologies and
development techniques/programs
Determine your productive workflow
Slowly phase out unnecessary
components
Continually refine your toolbox
@davidlaietta

9. CHOOSE YOUR NICHE AND ATTACK!
Determine your passion in development
Extensively study that passion area
Determine shortcomings in existing
systems and software
Work toward a more enjoyable
experience for users
@davidlaietta

10. THINK LIKE A CLIENT
Learn to anticipate client needs
Follow up with clients regularly
Manage their expectations early
Under-promise and over-deliver
Demonstrate that they are paying for your
expertise, not your time
@davidlaietta

11. GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY
Repay in kind as you have been taught
Release GPL licensed code
Contribute to WordPress
Forums, Handbooks, Core, UI, etc.
Earn respect of peers and clients
Attract a higher quality clientele
Share the secret with others!
@davidlaietta