Modifying WordPress

You can add/change functionality by either

• Adding Plugins
• Editing templates

Plugins

These are scripts developed by third parties that extend the functionality of WordPress.

They are easily added and removed using the management interface. They are not dependent on the existing theme and so changing themes is possible without affecting the plugin or the functionality provided by the plugin.

To use a plugin you must copy the plugin files to the plugin directory and then activate the plugin from the control panel.

You will find the plugin directory under the wp-content directory along with the theme folder.

here is a snapshot of my plugins directory. Notice that most plugins are contained in their own folder and others are just single files.

Plugins are the preferred way of extended WordPress.

Editing Theme Templates

One of the great things about WordPress is that it is very easy to change the look and feel simply by changing the WordPress Theme via the management screen.

It is also possible to change the functionality by editing the theme template files. However if you do this then you cannot simply change themes as you would loose the functionality that you created by editing the theme.

It is for this reason that you should try to avoid editing the theme templates. If you do you should document the changes so that if you do change themes or upgrade themes then you can modify the new theme to have the same functionality.

You can find out more in WordPress themes

• Plugins directory
• Wordpress help on plugins

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