Software Engineering in WordPress, PHP, and Backend Development

Author: Tom (Page 310 of 427)

HTML Code Styles: What Are Your Strategies? – Part 2

This is a follow-up post to one that I originally wrote in December 2012. Be sure to read it, as well!

Months ago, I wrote a post on some of my preferred HTML Code Styles during which I shared two specific things that I do whenever I am writing markup.

Specifically, I do the following things:

  1. Comment Terminating Tags
  2. Underscore Class Names

When it comes to writing code, there are always going to be standards – well, at least there should be – that depend on the proverbial sandbox in which we’re playing.

These standards will outline certain things that we should do, but there are always bound to be gray areas. Case in point: I know people have often commented (no pun intended) that they aren’t a fan of the way that I terminate certain closing blocks with comments such as `// end if` or `// end while` or `// end class`.

Which is completely fine – to me, that’s an example of a gray area that gives us, as developers, room for implementing our own unique styles. But then there are others that really should be reconsidered.

And that’s what I’ve had to do with some of my markup styles.

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Friction Between Developers and Customers: It’s Unnecessary

In my limited experience, one of the most common things that I see in working with software development contracts has to do with the friction between developers and customers.

Or, more specifically, it’s about the challenges of communication. challenges that exist between communicating requirements between both us, as the developers, and our customers.

It’s not at all uncommon to hear:

  • Customers say something like “my developer didn’t do [whatever it is] I asked him to do,” despite the fact the developer believes s/he did exactly that.
  • Developers will also say “I’ve built exactly what the customer asked me to do,” despite the fact that customer doesn’t necessarily agree.

So if both parties are working together to build something together, then why is it so common for conversations like this occur?

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My Recommended JavaScript Books

When it comes to learning JavaScript, I’m occasionally asked what books I recommend. Some of these come from those who are just getting into the language; others come from people who have been programming for sometime.

For whatever it’s worth, I don’t consider myself an expert in JavaScript, though I really do like working with the language. I also love seeing its adoption over the web, and some of the technologies that have emerged that make it possible to write both client-side and server-side applications.

Anyway, so when it comes to JavaScript, there are two books that I always recommend to both beginners and novice programmers alike.

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How To Move Your WordPress Database

Comments on are closed on this post so we can keep the discussion on the original articles.

Last month, I shared my process for performing WordPress-based site migrations. For the record, this process is the one I prefer and that I’ve found best in my day-to-day work, but it’s not necessarily perfect for everyone.

So there are obvious alternatives some of which may work better for you than others.

In my latest serious on Tuts+, I’ve got a three part series that will walk you through how to move your WordPress database.

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Using WordPress Simple Settings For The Settings API

Though I still this project may be useful for some, I've updated my personal opinions on this.

When it comes to working with WordPress, it’s no secret that I’m a fan of using the WordPress APIs as much as possible, and not circumventing the built-in functionality with vanilla PHP.

Arguably, one of the most complicated APIs to work with is the WordPress Settings API. It’s unintuitive, requires some small details to manage, and also requires a bit of repetitive code.

For many developers, the unintuitive nature and the way in which sections, settings, and options are built begs for a cleaner interface. And if you’re one of those developers, then you should check out Clif Griffin’s WordPress Simple Settings project.

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