A list of 20 practical interview questions for WordPress developers
Can you explain the WordPress template hierarchy and how it works?
Answer: The WordPress template hierarchy is the system that WordPress uses to decide which template file to use to display a page. It works by first checking for a specific template for the current page, and if one doesn’t exist, it falls back to a more general template. For example, if a single post is being displayed, WordPress will first look for a template specifically for that post, and if one doesn’t exist, it will fall back to the single post template, and then the archive template.
How do you create a custom WordPress plugin?
Answer: To create a custom WordPress plugin, you first need to create a new folder in the “wp-content/plugins” directory, then create a new PHP file and add a plugin header at the top. From there, you can add functions and hooks as needed to customize the plugin’s functionality.
How do you add custom functions to a WordPress theme?
Answer: To add custom functions to a WordPress theme, you can create a new functions.php file in the theme directory and add your custom functions to it. Alternatively, you can add custom functions to an existing functions.php file if one already exists.
Can you explain the difference between the “wp_enqueue_script” and “wp_register_script” functions in WordPress?
Answer: The “wp_enqueue_script” function is used to add a JavaScript file to the WordPress site, while the “wp_register_script” function is used to register a JavaScript file so that it can be enqueued later. The main difference is that “wp_register_script” allows you to register a script and then enqueue it in a later hook, while “wp_enqueue_script” immediately adds the script to the site.
How do you create custom post types in WordPress?
Answer: To create custom post types in WordPress, you can use the “register_post_type” function in a custom plugin or in the functions.php file of your theme. This function allows you to specify the labels, capabilities, and other arguments for your custom post type.
Can you explain how the WordPress loop works?
Answer: The WordPress loop is used to display posts on a WordPress site. It works by first retrieving a set of posts based on the current query, and then iterating through each post and displaying it according to the theme’s template files. The loop will continue until all posts have been displayed or a specific number of posts have been reached, depending on the settings.
How do you create custom fields in WordPress?
Answer: To create custom fields in WordPress, you can use a plugin such as Advanced Custom Fields or you can use the “add_meta_box” function in a custom plugin or in the functions.php file of your theme. This function allows you to add a custom field to the post editor screen, where users can enter custom data for each post.
Can you explain the difference between “add_action” and “add_filter” in WordPress?
Answer: The “add_action” function in WordPress is used to specify an action that should be performed at a specific point in the WordPress lifecycle. This could be things like displaying a widget, sending an email, or saving data to the database. The “add_filter” function, on the other hand, is used to modify data before it is displayed or saved. For example, you might use a filter to modify the output of a WordPress function or to sanitize user input before it is saved to the database.
How do you create a custom WordPress widget?
Answer: To create a custom WordPress widget, you can use the “wp_register_sidebar_widget” and “wp_register_widget_control” functions in a custom plugin or in the functions.php file of your theme. These functions allow you to specify the widget’s options, display, and other settings.
Can you explain how WordPress security works and how you can secure a WordPress site?
Answer: WordPress security works by implementing various measures to prevent unauthorized access to the site. This includes things like user authentication, secure passwords, and regular updates to protect against vulnerabilities. To secure a WordPress site, you can take steps such as using a security plugin, keeping WordPress and plugins up to date, and using strong passwords.
How do you debug a WordPress site?
Answer: To debug a WordPress site, you can use the “wp_debug” setting in the wp-config.php file to enable error reporting and display errors on the site. You can also use tools such as the WordPress debugger plugin or the browser developer console to identify and troubleshoot issues.
Can you explain the difference between a “shortcode” and a “template tag” in WordPress?
Answer: A shortcode in WordPress is a small piece of code that allows you to perform a specific function within a post or page. A template tag, on the other hand, is a function that is used within a WordPress theme template file to display data or perform a specific function. Shortcodes are typically used to add dynamic content to a post or page, while template tags are used to display data or perform functions within the theme.
How do you create a custom WordPress taxonomy?
Answer: To create a custom WordPress taxonomy, you can use the “register_taxonomy” function in a custom plugin or in the functions.php file of your theme. This function allows you to specify the labels, capabilities, and other arguments for your custom taxonomy.
Can you explain how WordPress permalinks work and how you can customize them?
Answer: WordPress permalinks are the permanent URLs for individual posts and pages on a WordPress site. They are created by combining the site’s domain name with the post or page’s slug, which is a unique identifier based on the post or page title. You can customize permalinks by going to the “Permalinks” settings in the WordPress dashboard and choosing a different permalink structure, such as adding the date or category to the URL.
How do you create a custom WordPress theme from scratch?
Answer: To create a custom WordPress theme from scratch, you can start by creating a new folder in the “wp-content/themes” directory and adding the necessary files such as style.css, index.php, and functions.php. From there, you can add template files and functions as needed to customize the theme’s layout and functionality.
What is the difference between a “custom field” and a “custom taxonomy” in WordPress?
Answer: A custom field in WordPress is a user-defined field that allows you to add additional data to a post or page. A custom taxonomy, on the other hand, is a way to group similar items together and assign them to posts or pages. Custom fields are typically used to add specific pieces of data to a post or page, while custom taxonomies are used to organize and classify content.
How do you create a custom WordPress template for a specific page or post?
Answer: To create a custom WordPress template for a specific page or post, you can create a new file in your theme directory and name it using the template hierarchy conventions. For example, to create a custom template for a specific page, you could name the file “page-{id}.php”, where {id} is the ID of the page. You can then add the template code and custom functions as needed.
Can you explain how WordPress themes and plugins interact with each other?
Answer: WordPress themes and plugins interact with each other by using functions and hooks to customize the site’s functionality and appearance. For example, a plugin might use an action hook to add a custom function to the WordPress admin dashboard, while a theme might use a filter hook to modify the output of a plugin function.
How do you create a custom WordPress short-code?
Answer: To create a custom WordPress short code, you can use the “add_shortcode” function in a custom plugin or in the functions.php file of your theme. This function allows you to specify the shortcode tag and the function that should be executed when the shortcode is used.
Can you explain the difference between a “parent theme” and a “child theme” in WordPress?
Answer: A parent theme in WordPress is the main theme that is being extended or modified by a child theme. A child theme is a theme that inherits the functionality and styles of the parent theme, but allows you to make customization’s without affecting the parent theme’s code. You can update the parent theme without losing your customization’s by this.
In conclusion, the above questions cover a range of topics related to WordPress development, including custom plugin and theme development, the WordPress template hierarchy, custom fields and taxonomies, and WordPress security. By understanding these concepts and being able to answer these questions, a WordPress developer can demonstrate a strong foundation in WordPress development and be well-prepared for a practical interview.
