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Greg Schudel
4,090 PointsBecoming a Wordpress Dev quickly
I finally have a small season of time to become a WordPress dev faster (about six weeks). If I devote 8-10 hours five days a week to learn how to create my own WordPress Themes from scratch, would this be possible? My hope is to build a portfolio using these skills and get a job in the WP dev market ASAP (I'm even willing to move the location!)
Keep in mind I am VERY familiar with Wordpress customizing. Everything from tweeking pre-existing themes to even migrating WP sites. In addition, I know CSS/HTML/Bootstrap pretty well. My current self-dev goals are to learn more foundational Javascript/Jquery, learn GITHUB, WCAG 2.0 standards and probably some basic PHP for taxonomies, etc.
Is this TO -DO list comprehensive or is there a track that I haven't seen posted on Treehouse? Please suggest related individual tuts or ask for more details from if you need them.
3 Answers
Greg Schudel
4,090 PointsI deleted your comment by accident......below is Jacob's comment SUPER HELPFUL
CPT are Custom Post Types.
Underscores is a base starter theme, and there are others out there such as roots sage and such. I'm not sure by what you mean the theme needs to be upgraded? like for latest version of WP? or just code in general?
SSH in its most basic form SSH is the reason you see a green lock and the words Secure next to your URL in the browser, i.e. making sites HTTPS not HTTP.
Not entirely. One of the purposes of using the REST API is to make a database call and storing the data in JSON then calling the data to the site, so you do not constant make database calls though out the site. By using the WP REST API you can call posts, any pretty much everything, and store them in JSON data that is cached in the browser, and then call them into your site much quicker. This blog post may help Learning how to use API's is huge, due to the fact you can get data from another source and post it in your site, or your own data as well.
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 PointsI would add the following items to your list, if you have questions please feel free to ask.
learn the following:
ACF->(a must, almost every site is built using this plugin)
WP_REST API and by using Postman->(know this will get a job)
Use _s (underscores) as a starter theme->if you want to build a custom this is where you start.
Know the WP hierarchy
know the difference between home.php and front-page.php->(use cases)
GIT take a look at this .gitignore file very helpful
SSH
deploy a site using Capistrano, or deploybot->(advanced)
I know bootstrap is very dominant in the WP world, but learn Bourbon, every frontend dev will like you more. Better control of your classes and styles.
learn gulp/webpack You will need a frontend build tool theses two are the best i've seen for WP
Learn PHP basics,
Custom taxonomies/categories
write CPT's as plugins, and know why you do that.
know what a landing page is.
Theses are just a couple of things off the top of my head, If you have any questions please feel free to ask.
Lastly, JUST CODE EVERY DAY!
Greg Schudel
4,090 PointsWhat's CPT?
Why underscores? I've developed with underscores before, it's free and doesn't get regular upgrades. Isn't that bad for the client?
What's SSH?
What is the purpose of REST_API? Isn't that for making web apps?
Greg Schudel
4,090 PointsCan you suggest any Wordpress Tracks here at TeamTreehouse that cover most, if not, all of these?
1.) Underscores theme - you need to update themes as things progress in order to enhance security and overall performance. Isn't getting a free theme like that, that does not push upgrades present problems for the user?
2.) CPT- got it. This is for making custom post types using the functions.php file right?
3.) SSH - got it.
4.) REST_API - sounds extremely useful! Probably a good way to lesson load times!
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 Points1.) here is the github repo for underscores Its built by Automattic so its constantly being updated by the people to make WordPress. There should not be a problem with that. You can also checkout Roots as well if you want. I'm not a huge fan of their wrapper, but you might like it.
2.) You can have the CPT in your functions.php file, but there is a huge reason to make it a plugin instead. Knowing why is a good start to understanding how WP works.
I would go through the WP dev track is a solid start.
Jacob Mishkin
23,118 PointsJacob Mishkin
23,118 PointsNo worries, if you need any more info, I'd be happy to help. Thats a pretty sizable list, so That should get you started.