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Difference between revisions of "Theme Frameworks"

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= What is a theme framework?=
= WordPress Theme Frameworks =
 
   
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Frameworks are for theme developers. They offer a set of standards for theme developers to use in creating their own themes. They’re a set of functions/features created to aid development.
== Types of Theme Frameworks ==
 
   
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== How Frameworks Work? ==
The term "Theme Framework" currently has two meanings:
 
   
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*Frameworks come packaged within a single folder.
# A <em>"drop-in" code library</em> that is used to facilitate development of a Theme
 
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*Developers drop the framework folder into a new parent theme and load the framework.
# A stand-alone <em>base/starter Theme</em> that is intended either to be forked into another Theme, or else to be used as a Parent Theme template
 
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*Users create a child theme based on the parent theme to house their customizations, allowing both the framework and parent theme to be updated.
   
 
Some examples of such frameworks include:
=== Code Library ===
 
   
 
* [https://github.com/crowdfavorite/wp-carrington-core Carrington Core]
A "drop-in" code library framework is not a stand-alone Theme. Such frameworks cannot be installed nor used as a stand-alone Theme. Rather, these libraries are included with the Theme, and "bootstrapped" to the Theme by being included in the Theme's functions.php file.
 
 
* [https://github.com/wponion/wponion/ WPOnion Framework]
 
 
* [http://gantry.org/ Gantry Framework]
Some examples of such frameworks include:
 
 
* [http://www.getbeans.io Beans Theme Framework]
* [http://code.google.com/p/carrington/source/browse/#svn%2Fframework%2Ftags Carrington Core]
 
* [http://gantry-framework.org/ Gantry Framework]
 
* [http://themehybrid.com/hybrid-core Hybrid Core]
 
 
* [https://github.com/devinsays/options-framework-theme Options Framework]
 
* [https://github.com/devinsays/options-framework-theme Options Framework]
* [http://reduxframework.com Redux Framework]
 
 
* [https://github.com/sy4mil/Options-Framework SMOF]
 
* [https://github.com/sy4mil/Options-Framework SMOF]
 
* [https://wordpress.org/plugins/unyson/ Unyson]
 
* [https://github.com/LiftUX/UpThemes-Framework UpThemes Framework]
 
* [https://github.com/LiftUX/UpThemes-Framework UpThemes Framework]
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* [http://nk2580.github.io/WordSmith/ WordSmith]
* [http://vafpress.com/vafpress-framework Vafpress Framework]
 
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* [https://github.com/CherryFramework/cherry-framework Cherry]
 
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* [https://typerocket.com/ TypeRocket Framework]
=== Base/Starter Theme ===
 
 
A "base/starter" Theme framework is a stand-alone Theme designed to be a flexible foundation for quicker WordPress development, usually serving as a robust Parent Theme for [[Child Themes]]. Some Theme frameworks can also make theme development more accessible, removing the need for programming or design knowledge by [[Creating Options Pages]].
 
 
Some examples of such frameworks include:
 
* [http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/atahualpa Atahualpa]
 
* [http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/carrington-blog Carrington]
 
* [https://github.com/nash-ye/Momtaz-Framework Momtaz Framework]
 
* [http://nouveauframework.com/ NOUVEAU Framework]
 
* [http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/sandbox Sandbox]
 
* [http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/thematic Thematic]
 
* [http://wordpress.org/extend/themes/wp-framework WP Framework]
 
* [http://presswork.io PressWork]
 
   
 
Commercial framework examples:
 
Commercial framework examples:
 
* [http://codestarframework.com/ Codestar Framework]
 
* [http://www.studiopress.com/ Genesis Framework]
 
* [http://www.studiopress.com/ Genesis Framework]
* [http://webplantmedia.com/starter-themes/wordpresscanvas/ WP Canvas]
 
* [http://framework.istackpress.com IStackpress Framework]
 
* [http://howlingdogthemes.com K9 Canvas]
 
 
Technically, any stand-alone Theme can act as such a framework, since any stand-alone Theme can be used as a Parent Theme template for [[Child Themes]]. However, some stand-alone Themes are designed specifically to be used for this purpose. Such Themes can be used as-is, but may lack CSS styling or other finishing elements of site design, since such elements are intended to be added by the Child Theme, or in the forked/derivative Theme.
 
   
 
== Functionality Included in Theme Frameworks ==
 
== Functionality Included in Theme Frameworks ==
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==Recommended reading==
 
==Recommended reading==
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* [http://justintadlock.com/archives/2010/08/16/frameworks-parent-child-and-grandchild-themes Frameworks? Parent, child, and grandchild themes?]
 
* [http://themeshaper.com/functions-php-wordpress-child-themes/ How I used a WordPress Child Theme To Redesign My Blog The Smart Way]
 
* [http://themeshaper.com/functions-php-wordpress-child-themes/ How I used a WordPress Child Theme To Redesign My Blog The Smart Way]
 
* [http://justintadlock.com/archives/2008/12/24/why-i-created-a-wordpress-theme-framework Why I created a WordPress theme framework]
 
* [http://justintadlock.com/archives/2008/12/24/why-i-created-a-wordpress-theme-framework Why I created a WordPress theme framework]

Latest revision as of 00:31, 8 December 2022

What is a theme framework?

Frameworks are for theme developers. They offer a set of standards for theme developers to use in creating their own themes. They’re a set of functions/features created to aid development.

How Frameworks Work?

  • Frameworks come packaged within a single folder.
  • Developers drop the framework folder into a new parent theme and load the framework.
  • Users create a child theme based on the parent theme to house their customizations, allowing both the framework and parent theme to be updated.

Some examples of such frameworks include:

Commercial framework examples:

Functionality Included in Theme Frameworks

Some Theme Frameworks will include pre-defined code to facilitate further Theme development, such as:

  • Custom functions to be used in the Theme
  • Custom action hooks used in the Theme template
  • Custom filter hooks used to output Theme content
  • Theme options page integration
  • Custom callbacks for core WordPress action and filter hooks
  • Script library integration and functionality, e.g. jQuery sliders

Recommended reading