Category: Resources (Page 20 of 60)

A summary of useful links, applications, and tools that I find around the Internet.

Using PHP CodeSniffer For MAMP and WordPress

September 23, 2015 / Tom / 0 Comments

Every developer worth his or her weight will say writing quality code is key to making sure a project is maintainable over time.

What constitutes quality code may be subjective and this is not the post to debate that; however, if you’re working with PHP – especially alongside MAMP and WordPress – then I think using the PHP CodeSniffer is a tool we should all be using.

For those who’ve written both PHP applications and WordPress-specific applications, you know there are different standards used for writing code. Since this blog is primarily focused on the latter, then I’m obviously going to be focusing on that, but the steps provided aren’t altogether different for working strictly with PHP.

So here’s how you can setup PHP CodeSniffer, the rules for the WordPress Coding Standards, and how to have them run alongside MAMP.

On Becoming a Better Writer

September 22, 2015 / Tom / 0 Comments

I try to keep the focus of this blog limited to writing about code, WordPress, software, and business.

Every now and then I’ll come across a resource I find so useful, I end up reusing or re-reading several times to try to figure out how to incorporate it into my day-to-day work. Usually, this has to do with some type of app of programming technique (and this likely similar to something you do, too).

In this case, I’m talking about writing.

WordPress Developers and WP Migrate DB Pro

September 18, 2015 / Tom / 0 Comments

I’ve mentioned WP Migrate DB in previous posts, but it’s been at least two years since I’ve last written about it.

In two years, software can change a lot and WP Migrate DB is no different. I’m still a fan, I still recommend it to people, and I still think that it’s an extremely valuable plugin for any WordPress developer (or even someone who works with WordPress site migrations) to have available.

WP Migrate DB

The point, though, is not for me to sit here and promote a plugin or to try to push something on you. I’ve said what I need to say in terms of who needs it.

But for those who are skeptical or those who are just getting started in WordPress development, it still raises a question as to why anyone needs it.

And that requires an understanding of why each person should have various environments setup for their project development. If you’re an seasoned developer, this post isn’t for you.

But if you’re getting started with WordPress development or looking to refine your workflow, then follow along. I’ll make this quick.

The WordPress Developers Club

September 10, 2015 / Tom / 0 Comments

For anyone who is involved in WordPress – be it running a business, contributing to plugins or to core, blogging about it or generally doing something really cool with the application – is bound to receive the following question:

How do I become an expert in WordPress?

Isn’t that a hard question to answer? Maybe not for some, but I always end up having to think through where to start the conversation.

I mean…

Do you want to get into design? If so, then perhaps themes are for you.
Do you want to get into extending the core program? Then maybe plugins are for you.
Maybe you should try both to see where your interest lies most and then follow that trail.

If a person has a background in software development, then that leads to an entirely different conversation than if the person hasn’t really written a lot of – or any – code up to this point.

Sure, there are some great resources out there and there are places in which we can refer people but I think it all depends on where they want to go and/or what they want to do based on their level of experience.

But if you’re looking for something that will lead a person from the ground up into WordPress development, then I recommend checking out the WordPress Developers Club.

Why I Recommend Array Themes

August 7, 2015 / Tom

The WordPress theme market is at a weird place right now. Simply put, a lot of people will state the themes have now become a commodity. Sometimes, people consider this a bad thing, others consider it a more of a neutral fact that’s more or less a representation of where the WordPress economy currently sits.

Regardless of what your perspective may be, people still want to blog, people still need to have good-looking, functional websites, and people still need to have reputable places from which to purchase their themes.

And that’s why I dig (and recommend) Array Themes.