085 – The Difference Between Theme Templates and Frameworks
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The Difference Between Theme Templates and Frameworks
A theme framework is a set of conventions to use for developing WordPress [parent] themes
Theme Framework
– These are the big ones you’ve heard about, Thesis, Genesis, Standard, Headway
– A framework is a solidly coded theme that should serve as a base for other projects.
– Standard Things in any Framework
- Bullet-Proof CSS with multiple variations
- Should be flexible enough to make nearly any layout through CSS alone.
- Make extensive use of action and filter hooks to allow for overriding functions in child themes.
- SEO ready.
- Support multiple popular plugins that need to be added within template files.
- Frameworks are best for developers to reuse and there code over and over. Reusing code is the foundation of good development practice
- Frameworks are added into the parent-theme folder
In summary: End users don’t benefit from theme frameworks, only theme devs do
Theme Template
– Template files are the building blocks of your WordPress site. They fit together like the pieces of a puzzle to generate the web pages on your site. Some templates (the header and footer template files for example) are used on all the web pages, while others are used only under specific conditions.
Parent vs. Child
– Nearly all WordPress themes are parent themes. Only those called child themes are not parent themes.
– Users should only ever worry about creating a child theme
– This will allow them to make modifications without losing them when the parent theme is updated.
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That’s interesting that you’ve started using the Pomodoro Technique, Justin. I actually just blogged last week about how I use timeboxing, which is related to the Pomodoro Technique. My post: <a href=”http://optimwise.com/timeboxing-beat-parkinsons-law/”>Timeboxing to beat Parkinsons Law</a>.
Jul 18, 2012That’s interesting that you’ve started using the Pomodoro Technique, Justin. I actually just blogged last week about how I use timeboxing, which is related to the Pomodoro Technique. My post, Timeboxing to beat Parkinsons Law: http://optimwise.com/timeboxing-beat-parkinsons-law/
Jul 18, 2012That’s interesting that you’ve started using the Pomodoro Technique, Dustin. I actually just blogged last week about how I use timeboxing, which is related to the Pomodoro Technique. My post, Timeboxing to beat Parkinsons Law: http://optimwise.com/timeboxing-beat-parkinsons-law/
Jul 18, 2012@warnerchad This technique works for me, especially since I normally can’t focus on one task until it’s completed. By setting mini goals, I’m able to focus for 25 minutes, take a few minute stretch break and get back into it.
Jul 25, 2012Plus, when I only give myself a certain amount of time to finish, it normally gets done or it’s good enough to move on to the next item.
Chad – I was getting an “Invalid Security Token” when I tried to comment by signing into twitter on your post. Thought you’d like to know.
@dhartzler10 Apparently the Antispam Bee plugin doesn’t work with Jetpack comments. I just tried Spam Free WordPress and GASP and found they don’t either. That’s what I get for trying to avoid the cost of a commercial Akismet license :)You should be able to comment now.
Jul 25, 2012Nice information about frameworks and themes. I’ll have to look more into frameworks and what they can do to help with developing.
Jul 20, 2012@JoshuaWRivers I’m going to have to dig into them more as well 🙂
Jul 24, 2012I agree. I think your time-boxing technique would really work for me. I’ll have to find out more about it.
Jul 25, 2012@ktwestendorf Read Chad’s link below and download the free ebook: http://www.pomodorotechnique.com/resources/ThePomodoroTechnique_v1-3.pdf
Jul 25, 2012@dhartzler10 Thanks!
Jul 25, 2012I’m really loving the theme/design of your site. Do you ever runn intro aany web browser compatibility problems?
A handful of mmy blog audience have complained abvout my blog not operating correctly in Explorer but lioks gteat iin Firefox.
Do you have any advice to heelp fix this problem?
Heree iss my web site; seo companies florida
Jun 27, 2014Do i need to buy a theme or a template to set it live as web? If i like one theme, does that mean i can set online as it is in demo without any coding by myself?
Nov 21, 2015Some themes are free, but if you want to use a premium theme for your website, then you will need to purchase a license for that theme.
Most themes allow you to customize them without any need to write code.
Nov 28, 2015