Conditional tags are a powerful built-in feature of WordPress that make it easy to create conditional statements. With these tags, you can display content only for certain users, load scripts only if a page is using a specific custom template, or style a post if it is sticky.
There are many built-in WordPress conditional tags available, and it’s important to understand the differences between them. For example, is_single_() and is_singular() may seem similar, but they have different functions. To learn more about each function, simply click on the tag name and read the instructions in the codex.
All conditional tags return either TRUE or FALSE, never IDs or arrays. They are closely related to WordPress’ template hierarchy system, which selects the template page to use depending on the URL you are visiting.
When using these conditional tags, you can pass them different variables such as IDs, slug, or arrays. For example, with the is_author() function, you can specify which author page to display based on ID, nickname, or user_nicename.
You can combine multiple conditional tags to create complex conditions. For example, you can display content only on the home page and in certain categories, or do an action if one situation or another occurs. You can also use negative conditions with “!” to exclude certain situations.
Creating custom conditional tags is also possible, but it’s important to follow the same naming convention as core developers. Using prefixes such as “is_”, “has_”, or “in_” can make it easier for others to understand your code.
In summary, conditional tags are a powerful tool for WordPress developers that make it easy to create conditional statements. By understanding the available tags and how to use them, you can create complex conditions and customize your website to meet your needs.
