The document provides an overview of developing WordPress professionally, covering topics such as the order of things to learn, essential tools and resources, debugging tips, and running a business. It recommends learning HTML, CSS, PHP and JavaScript basics first through resources like w3schools and Codecademy. It also recommends starting with a starter theme or boilerplate, using version control and task runners like Git and Gulp, enabling debugging modes to troubleshoot issues, and organizing projects and time using tools like Asana. The document aims to help avoid common mistakes by sharing lessons learned and pointing to additional WordPress resources.

1. Developing WordPress
Professionally
a.k.a
I’ve made lots of mistakes so you don’t have to

2. Quick Intro
Austin Gil (@Stegosource)
Lead developer at Visceral
(www.thisisvisceral.com)
I build kick-ass web sites
and apps that make life
better for clients and users.
I also break things sometimes....

3. What you should already know:
● How to get online (Domains + Hosting)
● What is WordPress (.com vs. .org)
● Installing WordPress, themes, plugins

4. What we will cover:
● Order of things to learn
● Tools & resources to get started
● What to do WHEN things break
● How to continue growing

5. What we won’t cover:
● WP training (training.thisisvisceral.com)
● Detailed code examples
● Advanced tools & workflow

6. Let’s go!

7. Learn Basic Coding

8. The very basics:
● Learn HTML & CSS well
● Be familiar with PHP & Javascript
● Resources:
○ w3schools.com
○ freecodecamp.com
○ codecademy.com
○ codeschool.com

9. WordPress specific:
● WP Query & Loop
● Template hierarchy & tags
● Resources:
○ WordPress Codex
○ Default WordPress theme
○ WordPress Template Tag Reference

10. Best practices:
● Start early (“Please” - future you)
● Comment all the things!!!
● Resources:
○ 10up’s Engineering Best Practices
○ WordPress Core Contributor Handbook
● Backup early. Backup often
● Don’t edit the source

11. Developer Tools

12. Code editor:
● Syntax highlighting
● Customizeable
● Resources:
○ Visual Studio Code
● Find what works for YOU

13. Making edits:
● WordPress file editor (Nope!)
● FTP (File Transfer Protocol)
● Resources:
○ FileZilla Client
● Make a backup

14. Development environment:
● Production vs. Staging vs. Local
● Why should I care?
● Resources:
○ DesktopServer
○ Local by Flywheel
○ Vagrant / Docker (advanced)
● No cowboy coding

15. Work smart, not hard:
● Starter themes
● Plugin boilerplates
● Resources:
○ Underscores or Sage (advanced)
○ WordPress Plugin Boilerplate
○ GenerateWP
○ WP Quick Install
● Snippets library

16. Keep learning:
● Version Control
● Task runners
● Resources:
○ WP-CLI
○ Git
○ Gulp
○ SCSS
● Frameworks
● Terminal

17. Dealing With Bugs

18. White screen of death:
● Stay calm
● Check your plugins
● Resources:
○ WordPress Forums
○ StackOverflow
○ Stack Exchange
● Check your theme

19. Other debugging tips:
● Turn on WP_DEBUG
● Check the server error_log
● Enable Xdebug (local)
● Get familiar with Dev Tools / JS Console
● Get better feedback (Whats My Browser)

20. Running A Business

21. Organization is key:
● Project management
● Time & money
● Legal
● Resources:
○ Asana
○ Bonsai
○ Docracy
○ Slack

22. Give back:
● Discuss
● Participate
● Resources:
○ WordPress Forums
○ Facebook
○ Meetup
● Contribute

23. Tools & resources:
● Advanced Custom Fields
● Wp Time Capsule
● All-in-One WP Migration
● Simply Show Hooks
● Query Monitor
● Better Search Replace
● HTML Code Sniffer
● Code Snippets
● Gitlab & SourceTree
● User Switching
● WP Tota11y
● Show Current Template
● Kint Debugger
● Debug This
● Log Deprecated Notices
● Search Replace DB
Loads more at http://wpgear.org/