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Using Configuration Files for Class Properties

November 3, 2016 / Tom / 0 Comments

The idea of using some type of configuration files for a project isn’t anything new. Nor is the idea of using a format such as JSON.

Look in any directory for a number of major applications that you use, be it a source control manager, IDE, a build tool, et al., and you’re likely to find some type of configuration file. (And when it comes to build tools, many of us already write configuration files using JSON specifically to tell the build tool information about our project.)

Configuration Files as seen in VS Code.

Yesterday, I shared some of the challenges that can come with creatively solving problems and said that I was going to talk about something I’ve been working on:

With all of that said, it wouldn’t be particularly honest of me if I didn’t discuss and share my code, though, would it?

So that’s the purpose of this post: To talk about one way that I’ve been looking to solve a problem in a project on which I’m working.

The Intimidation of Creatively Solving Problems

November 2, 2016 / Tom

One of the things about programming in the same “environment” for an extended period is that you get comfortable with the way you tackle similar problems.

Case in point:

When you start writing a plugin, you likely have an idea as to how you will implement something before writing it.

I’d venture to say that this begins to happen while the client is describing their problem. I don’t think there’s anything inherently wrong about this. In fact, I believe that it’s probably a good thing as it’s a sign you’re learning your way around the API, how to structure files, assets, and so on.

But at what point do we start coasting on autopilot? Or, perhaps a better way to ask it, is when are we just going through the motions of solving different-but-similar problems?

WordPress JSON Encoding For Ajax

November 1, 2016 / Tom / 0 Comments

If you’ve worked with Ajax in any capacity, then you’ve likely tried to send response data using various formats. Obviously, the original format of the response data is XML but JSON is a second, [and arguably] more popular format.

When working with WordPress’ Ajax API, arguably, the most important things to remember are:

Make sure the function is using the proper hook (should it be available for the public, for users who are logged into their account, or both?),
Terminate the function using wp_die unless you want an incorrect or malformed response sent to the client.

In addition to that, if you’re sending your response data to the client in the form of JSON then you have several options on how to return the data:

Structure the JSON data yourself (which I think would be an overly complicated feat 🙂),
Use PHP’s json_encode function,
Or use WordPress’ wp_json_encode function.

You can see there this is going, right? So I’ll make it quick.

Desktop Applications via the WordPress REST API?

October 31, 2016 / Tom / 0 Comments

There are a lot of reasons that people are excited to have the WordPress REST API merged into core.

The WordPress REST API Plugin

I think some are excited because they won’t need to include the plugin dependency anymore; others, honestly speaking, I think are happy to see it merged for the sake of it. Whatever the case, having the entire infrastructure is core is neat, and I’m excited, but almost none of the client work I’m doing at the moment warrant it.

I believe that will change, though, as people learn what we can do with it. But until that time comes, one of the things I like to do is try to think broadly about what could the REST API offer that isn’t directly related to blogging.

And this leads me to a much broader question.

Learn “WordPress JavaScript” (And What That Means)

October 28, 2016 / Tom

Now and then, I’ll stumble across a blog post, question, or comment that talks about WordPress JavaScript as if it’s a different type of or variant of JavaScript that exists solely within the WordPress application.

For those who have been working in web development for a long time, this seems like a silly statement, but if you’re brand new to web development (regardless of your age), then this is something that might be a bit confusing.

After all, it’s not like the JavaScript standard is cut and dry right now, right? But I digress.

Furthermore, WordPress includes jQuery, jQuery UI, Backbone, and so on. So when someone wants to work with JavaScript within the context of WordPress, what are they actually talking about?

And the answer is, unfortunately, “it depends.” But it does: It depends on the type of work you’re doing and where you’re focusing your efforts.

But this brings us back to the original problem: How do you learn “WordPress JavaScript” if you’ve never even touched JavaScript?

Tom McFarlin

Using Configuration Files for Class Properties

The Intimidation of Creatively Solving Problems

WordPress JSON Encoding For Ajax

Desktop Applications via the WordPress REST API?

Learn “WordPress JavaScript” (And What That Means)