Chapter 3

Exploring the Anatomy of a Theme

IN THIS CHAPTER

Check Examining the theme’s stylesheet

Check Exploring template tags

Check Making widget areas

Check Understanding the main template files

This chapter breaks down the parts that make up your WordPress theme. Understanding your theme allows you greater flexibility when you customize it. Many of the problems people encounter with themes, such as not knowing which files edit certain functions of a site, comes from lack of understanding all the pieces.

If, like me, you like to get your hands dirty, you need to read this chapter. WordPress users who create their own themes do so in the interest of

  • Individuality: Having a theme that no one else has. (If you use one of the free themes, you can pretty much count on the fact that at least a dozen other WordPress blogs have the same look as yours.)
  • Creativity: Displaying your personal flair and style.
  • Control: Having full control of how the blog looks, acts, and delivers your content.

Many of you aren’t at all interested in creating your own theme for your WordPress website, however. Sometimes, it’s ...

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