Category: Articles (Page 253 of 258)

I’ve shared my thoughts on WordPress as an application framework, but I think that simply making a case for how the core application can be used for web applications isn’t enough to help others see that it’s a viable platform.

Lately, I’ve had several conversations with others who are skeptical (and rightly so). Themes are often viewed as “skins” for WordPress and plugins are often viewed as little ways to add new features to a blog. If anything, I’d say that one could make a stronger case for plugins being software rather than themes.

But to a point, I disagree. There are several reasons why I think both WordPress themes and plugins are software.

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Recently, someone asked me if a given theme was compatible with another popular WordPress framework. The short answer is that no, it was not, but it did get me thinking: If there’s one word that’s becoming all too common in the WordPress space, it’s “framework.”

If you were to ask a handful of people to define “framework,” you would probably hear one of two things:

1. Novice-to-experienced bloggers would say that it’s a theme with a variety of customization options
2. Developers would say that it’s a way to more easily build a theme

I’m sure there are a few other responses but, generally speaking, this is what I hear and read the most.

Instead, I think that “framework” is way over used in the WordPress world and the lack of understanding has the potential to negatively affect both bloggers and younger developers.

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