Why not use query_posts function

It's a very bad thing. query_posts was a brilliant idea, but it was implemented wrong, and it was only about 2 years ago that anybody noticed the mistake. Instead of query_posts for filtering use pre_get_posts. It's a hook, that's called before any query to the database is made, but after the query is already in memory. So perfect time to modify it right? :)

I can't emphasize this enough (well I can) QUERY_POSTS CONSIDERED HARMFUL ( I programmed with Basic, I can quote Djikstra), really, it doesn't recreate the main query object and replaces the main loop with another loop that isn't a main loop any more.

So if you really need query_posts, use WP_Query, syntax is almost identical, and it won't do the mess with the loop query_posts does. WP_Query doesn't rewrite the global query object after all. It instantiates a new one.

So as for your question, I'd go about it like this, I'd use get_posts for getting the main posts you want to get. then, I'd use pre_get_post hook to get me the child pages too, package it in one big object and that's it.

I hope this helps.

P.S. I just found the post where I learned of this, (great read)[http://developer.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/querying-posts-without-query_posts/] ... Check it out, you can probably get your answer there, if my ramble wasn't enough.

Yep, m8, it's ok.

Just remember to add wp_reset_postdata() at the end of the loop. It clears out the query in memory.... So if you need another query, it doesn't get messed up.

Hi Marin,

Thanks for your reply! I did some research about query_posts when I first started and saw that this is pretty harmful indeed. After watching the video from Zac again I adapted my code to the one below, which seems to work OK on my site now, can you tell me if this is better?

                        <!--- MAIN LOOP -->
            <?php
                $args = array(
                    'showposts' => 20,
                    'orderby' => 'menu_order',
                    'order' => 'ASC',
                    'post_type' => 'page',
                    'post_parent' => 9
                );
                $the_query = new WP_Query( $args );
            ?>
            <!-- the loop -->
            <?php if ( have_posts() ) : while ( $the_query->have_posts() ) : $the_query->the_post(); ?>
                <div class="project portfolio">
                    <a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>">
                        <?php the_post_thumbnail(); ?>
                        <div class="project-hover">
                            <h4><?php the_title(); ?></h4>
                            <p><?php the_field('project-ondertitel'); ?></p>
                        </div>
                    </a>
                </div>
            <?php endwhile; endif; ?>
            <!-- end of the loop -->
            <!--- /MAIN LOOP -->

Thanks alot, it was a very big help!