Category: WordPress

How to Create Date Field in Gutenberg

David7 Jun 21, 2020Jun 21, 2020

It’s relatively easy to create date/time picker in Gutenberg editor. What we need to do is to import and use DateTimePicker component and we can create something like this:

Here’s the step by step to create date/time picker:

Why use React/JS to create a Meta Box

David1 May 31, 2020Jun 5, 2020

In my previous post I mentioned that the reason why we need to learn to do this is to get all the new features. But what is the new features?

You can read more in my previous post: Custom Field & Meta Box in Gutenberg Editor.

In this short blog post, I want to give a simple example, to transform the field to a full sidebar panel.

Custom Field & Meta Box in Gutenberg Editor

David7 May 29, 2020Jun 5, 2020

How to do this in the “new” way?

From this:

To this:

Creating a custom field using a custom meta box is simple and very straightforward.

Basically we create a meta box using meta box API and add it in post meta data using save_post hook.

Here’s the basic code:

// Add field:
add_action( 'add_meta_boxes', function() {
	add_meta_box(
		'my_meta_box',
		'My Meta Box',
		function( $post ) {
			wp_nonce_field( __FILE__, '_my_data_nonce' );
			?>
			<p><input type="text" class="large-text" name="my_data" value="<?php echo esc_attr( get_post_meta( $post->ID, '_my_data', true ) ); ?>"></p>
			<?php
		},
		'post',
		'side'
	);
} );
// Save field.
add_action( 'save_post', function( $post_id ) {
	if ( isset( $_POST['my_data'], $_POST['_my_data_nonce'] ) && wp_verify_nonce( $_POST['_my_data_nonce'], __FILE__ ) ) {
		update_post_meta( $post_id, '_my_data', sanitize_text_field( $_POST['my_data'] ) );
	}
} );

But how to do this in the new way?

How to Load Images from Live Site in Local Dev (Apache and Nginx)

David0 Mar 12, 2018Sep 6, 2020

I just got a neat trick for local development.

When cloning live site to local, we need to download all the assets/uploads directory to our local dev, and sometimes it’s a pain.

With this trick, we don’t need to do that and we can simply download the DB.

I am a WordPress 4.9 Core Contributor

David0 Nov 16, 2017Nov 16, 2017

Happy to contribute to this awesome software!

You Don’t Need “wp_localize_script()” to Get “admin-ajax.php”

David5 Mar 26, 2017Mar 26, 2017

The most common method to use AJAX in WordPress is using admin-ajax.php + WordPress hook system.

And one of the recommended method to get this file URL is by using wp_localize_script(). This method is explained in details in my other tutorial WordPress AJAX for Beginners.

However, there is an alternative method.

Today I just reached 10.000+ Active Installs ! (WordPress themes and plugins total)

I know it’s not that impressive. but 😏 YEY! anyway.

it’s pretty embarrassing actually. 15 plugins and 10 themes.
but still happy for this milestone. 0

Help! I Can’t Find The Right WordPress Contact Form Plugin

David4 Mar 2, 2017Mar 3, 2017

In WordPress we have a lot of options to create contact forms. But I can’t seem to find the best solutions. I even think to create my own contact forms plugin.

My Requirements Are:

Responsive.
Not only in form output/front-end. Administration panel need to work in mobile devices. Well, at least usable, I understand that some features might need to be hidden/disabled in small screen devices for usability and UX. But not broken.
Use WordPress UI:
Seamless integration with WordPress, native-feel. I’m not a fan of app-like fancy UI. Professional. No excessive branding with cute icon/logo. If possible no cross-selling of add-ons/upgrade (or easy way to disable it).
Simple and easy to use:
User need to be able to use it without the need to learn proper form HTML markup.
Little to no learning curve:
No excessive features, I just need a contact form not a shopping cart, not a user registration form. If the code base is extendable and able to do all this via add-on that’s a plus. But it’s not necessary and not needed in the “core” plugins.
Theme and Template Friendly:
Can be added in a page template, any template file, no need to be in the “loop”. Simple shortcode to display the form should work with do_shortcode() function.

So, basically, something basic that I can use on my clients site and that’s it.

Of course anti spam features (maybe custom honey pot or integration with recaptcha/akismet) is also a requirements.

Here are several of my issue with current contact forms solutions (not in particular order):

Table of contents

Why Do We Ask: What’s Your Budget?

David0 Jan 4, 2017Jan 4, 2017

I didn’t ask this question a lot. But recently a client linked to an article, possibly to make sure I didn’t ask for their estimate budget for the project (which is fine):

The Worst Question To Ask Your Clients: “What’s Your Budget?”

The article covers some valid points. Asking budget question might be a sign for: