Create a PayPal Donation Shortcode – WordPress: If you are using the PayPal Donate function to accept donations from your website’s visitors, you can use this code snippet to create a shortcode, and thus make donating easier.

First, paste the following code in your functions.php file:

[php] function donate_shortcode( $atts, $content = null) {
global $post;extract(shortcode_atts(array(
‘account’ => ‘your-paypal-email-address’,
‘for’ => $post->post_title,
‘onHover’ => ”,
), $atts));
if(empty($content)) $content=’Make A Donation’;
return ‘<a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_xclick&business=’.$account.’&item_name=Donation for ‘.$for.’" title="’.$onHover.’">’.$content.’</a>’;
}
add_shortcode(‘donate’, ‘donate_shortcode’);[/php]

Then, you can easily use the [donate] shortcode in your posts and pages, like so:

[php] [donate]Please support this website and donate.[/donate] [/php]

By adding the first code snippet to your functions.php file you have created a [donate] shortcode that can be called from anywhere in your website.

Functions.php can be used by both classic themes, block themes, and child themes.

The functions.php file is where you add unique features to your WordPress theme. It can be used to hook into the core functions of WordPress to make your theme more modular, extensible, and functional.

What is functions.php?

The functions.php file behaves like a WordPress plugin, adding features and functionality to a WordPress site. You can use it to call WordPress functions and to define your own functions.

Note:The same result can be produced using either a plugin or functions.php. If you are creating new features that should be available no matter what the website looks like, it is best practice to put them in a plugin.

There are advantages and tradeoffs to either using a WordPress plugin or using functions.php.

A WordPress plugin:

  • requires specific, unique header text;
  • is stored in wp-content/plugins, usually in a subdirectory;
  • only executes on page load when activated;
  • applies to all themes; and
  • should have a single purpose – for example, offer search engine optimization features or help with backups.

Meanwhile, a functions.php file:

  • requires no unique header text;
  • is stored in theme’s subdirectory in wp-content/themes;
  • executes only when in the active theme’s directory;
  • applies only to that theme (if the theme is changed, the features can no longer be used); and
  • can have numerous blocks of code used for many different purposes.

Each theme has its own functions file, but only code in the active theme’s functions.php is actually run. If your theme already has a functions file, you can add code to it. If not, you can create a plain-text file named functions.php to add to your theme’s directory, as explained below.

A child theme can have its own functions.php file. Adding a function to the child functions file is a risk-free way to modify a parent theme. That way, when the parent theme is updated, you don’t have to worry about your newly added function disappearing.

Note:Although the child theme’s functions.php is loaded by WordPress right before the parent theme’s functions.php, it does not override it. The child theme’s functions.php can be used to augment or replace the parent theme’s functions. Similarly, functions.php is loaded after any plugin files have loaded.

With functions.php you can:

  • Use WordPress hooks. For example, with the excerpt_length filter you can change your post excerpt length (from default of 55 words).
  • Enable WordPress features with add_theme_support(). For example, turn on post thumbnails, post formats, and navigation menus.
  • Define functions you wish to reuse in multiple theme template files.

Warning:In WordPress, naming conflicts can occur when two or more functions, classes, or variables have the same name. This can cause errors or unexpected behavior in a WordPress site. It is the responsibility of both the theme developer and plugin developer to avoid naming conflicts in their respective code.

Theme developers should ensure that their functions, classes, and variables have unique names that do not conflict with those used by WordPress core or other plugins. They should also prefix their function and class names with a unique identifier, such as the theme name or abbreviation, to minimize the chances of a naming conflict.

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Examples

Below are a number of examples that you can use in your functions.php file to support various features. Each of these examples are allowed in your theme if you choose to submit it to the WordPress.org theme directory.

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Theme Setup

A number of theme features should be included within a “setup” function that runs initially when your theme is activated. As shown below, each of these features can be added to your functions.php file to activate recommended WordPress features.

Note:It’s important to namespace your functions with your theme name. All examples below use myfirsttheme_ as their namespace, which should be customized based on your theme name.

To create this initial function, start a new function entitled myfirsttheme_setup(), like so:

if ( ! function_exists( 'myfirsttheme_setup' ) ) :
/**
 * Sets up theme defaults and registers support for various WordPress  
 * features.
 *
 * It is important to set up these functions before the init hook so
 * that none of these features are lost.
 *
 *  @since MyFirstTheme 1.0
 */
function myfirsttheme_setup() { ... }

Note: In the above example, the function myfirsttheme_setup is started but not closed out. Be sure to close out your functions.

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Automatic feed links enables post and comment RSS feeds by default. These feeds will be displayed in  automatically. They can be called using add_theme_support() in classic themes. This feature is automatically enabled for block themes, and does not need to be included during theme setup.

add_theme_support( 'automatic-feed-links' );

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In classic themes, custom navigation menus allow users to edit and customize menus in the Menus admin panel, giving users a drag-and-drop interface to edit the various menus in their theme.

You can set up multiple menus in functions.php. They can be added using register_nav_menus() and inserted into a theme using wp_nav_menu(), as discussed later in this handbook. If your theme will allow more than one menu, you should use an array. While some themes will not have custom navigation menus, it is recommended that you allow this feature for easy customization.

register_nav_menus( array(
    'primary'   => __( 'Primary Menu', 'myfirsttheme' ),
    'secondary' => __( 'Secondary Menu', 'myfirsttheme' )
) );

Each of the menus you define can be called later using wp_nav_menu() and using the name assigned (i.e. primary) as the theme_location parameter.

In block themes, you use the navigation block instead.

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Load Text Domain

Themes can be translated into multiple languages by making the strings in your theme available for translation. To do so, you must use load_theme_textdomain(). For more information on making your theme available for translation, read the internationalization section.

load_theme_textdomain( 'myfirsttheme', get_template_directory() . '/languages' );

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Post Thumbnails

Post thumbnails and featured images allow your users to choose an image to represent their post. Your theme can decide how to display them, depending on its design. For example, you may choose to display a post thumbnail with each post in an archive view. Or, you may want to use a large featured image on your homepage. This feature is automatically enabled for block themes, and does not need to be included during theme setup.

add_theme_support( 'post-thumbnails' );

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Post Formats

Post formats allow users to format their posts in different ways. This is useful for allowing bloggers to choose different formats and templates based on the content of the post. add_theme_support() is also used for Post Formats. This is recommended.

add_theme_support( 'post-formats',  array( 'aside', 'gallery', 'quote', 'image', 'video' ) );

Learn more about post formats.

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Theme support in block themes

In block themes, the following theme supports are enabled automatically:

add_theme_support( 'post-thumbnails' );
add_theme_support( 'responsive-embeds' );
add_theme_support( 'editor-styles' );
add_theme_support( 'html5', array( 'style','script' ) );
add_theme_support( 'automatic-feed-links' );

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Initial Setup Example

Including all of the above features will give you a functions.php file like the one below. Code comments have been added for future clarity.

As shown at the bottom of this example, you must add the required add_action() statement to ensure the myfirsttheme_setup function is loaded.

if ( ! function_exists( 'myfirsttheme_setup' ) ) :
	/**
	 * Sets up theme defaults and registers support for various
	 * WordPress features.
	 *
	 * Note that this function is hooked into the after_setup_theme
	 * hook, which runs before the init hook. The init hook is too late
	 * for some features, such as indicating support post thumbnails.
	 */
	function myfirsttheme_setup() {

    /**
	 * Make theme available for translation.
	 * Translations can be placed in the /languages/ directory.
	 */
		load_theme_textdomain( 'myfirsttheme', get_template_directory() . '/languages' );

		/**
		 * Add default posts and comments RSS feed links to.
		 */
		add_theme_support( 'automatic-feed-links' );

		/**
		 * Enable support for post thumbnails and featured images.
		 */
		add_theme_support( 'post-thumbnails' );

		/**
		 * Add support for two custom navigation menus.
		 */
		register_nav_menus( array(
			'primary'   => __( 'Primary Menu', 'myfirsttheme' ),
			'secondary' => __( 'Secondary Menu', 'myfirsttheme' ),
		) );

		/**
		 * Enable support for the following post formats:
		 * aside, gallery, quote, image, and video
		 */
		add_theme_support( 'post-formats', array( 'aside', 'gallery', 'quote', 'image', 'video' ) );
	}
endif; // myfirsttheme_setup
add_action( 'after_setup_theme', 'myfirsttheme_setup' );

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Content Width

In classic themes, a content width is added to your functions.php file to ensure that no content or assets break the container of the site. The content width sets the maximum allowed width for any content added to your site, including uploaded images. In the example below, the content area has a maximum width of 800 pixels. No content will be larger than that.

if ( ! isset ( $content_width) ) {
    $content_width = 800;
}

Themes that include a theme.json configuration file does not need to include the variable in functions.php. Instead, the content width is added to the layout setting in theme.json. You can learn more about using theme.json in the advanced section.

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Other Features

There are other common features you can include in functions.php. Listed below are some of the most common features. Click through and learn more about each of these features.

  • Custom Headers -Classic themes
  • Sidebars (widget areas) -Classic themes
  • Custom Background -Classic themes
  • Title tag -Classic themes
  • Add Editor Styles
  • HTML5 -Classic themes

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Your functions.php File

If you choose to include all the functions listed above, this is what your functions.php might look like. It has been commented with references to above.

/**
 * MyFirstTheme's functions and definitions
 *
 * @package MyFirstTheme
 * @since MyFirstTheme 1.0
 */

/**
 * First, let's set the maximum content width based on the theme's
 * design and stylesheet.
 * This will limit the width of all uploaded images and embeds.
 */
if ( ! isset( $content_width ) ) {
	$content_width = 800; /* pixels */
}


if ( ! function_exists( 'myfirsttheme_setup' ) ) :

	/**
	 * Sets up theme defaults and registers support for various
	 * WordPress features.
	 *
	 * Note that this function is hooked into the after_setup_theme
	 * hook, which runs before the init hook. The init hook is too late
	 * for some features, such as indicating support post thumbnails.
	 */
	function myfirsttheme_setup() {

		/**
		 * Make theme available for translation.
		 * Translations can be placed in the /languages/ directory.
		 */
		load_theme_textdomain( 'myfirsttheme', get_template_directory() . '/languages' );

		/**
		 * Add default posts and comments RSS feed links to.
		 */
		add_theme_support( 'automatic-feed-links' );

		/**
		 * Enable support for post thumbnails and featured images.
		 */
		add_theme_support( 'post-thumbnails' );

		/**
		 * Add support for two custom navigation menus.
		 */
		register_nav_menus( array(
			'primary'   => __( 'Primary Menu', 'myfirsttheme' ),
			'secondary' => __( 'Secondary Menu', 'myfirsttheme' ),
		) );

		/**
		 * Enable support for the following post formats:
		 * aside, gallery, quote, image, and video
		 */
		add_theme_support( 'post-formats', array( 'aside', 'gallery', 'quote', 'image', 'video' ) );
	}
endif; // myfirsttheme_setup
add_action( 'after_setup_theme', 'myfirsttheme_setup' );

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Technical support (abbreviated as tech support) is a call centre type customer service provided by companies to advise and assist registered users with issues concerning their technical products. Traditionally done on the phone, technical support can now be conducted online or through chat. At present, most large and mid-size companies have outsourced their tech support operations. Many companies provide discussion boards for users of their products to interact; such forums allow companies to reduce their support costs without losing the benefit of customer feedback.

Outsourcing tech support

With the increasing use of technology in modern times, there is a growing requirement to provide technical support. Many organizations locate their technical support departments or call centers in countries or regions with lower costs. Dell was amongst the first companies to outsource their technical support and customer service departments to India in 2001. There has also been a growth in companies specializing in providing technical support to other organizations. These are often referred to as MSPs (Managed Service Providers).

For businesses needing to provide technical support, outsourcing allows them to maintain high availability of service. Such need may result from peaks in call volumes during the day, periods of high activity due to the introduction of new products or maintenance service packs, or the requirement to provide customers with a high level of service at a low cost to the business. For businesses needing technical support assets, outsourcing enables their core employees to focus more on their work in order to maintain productivity. It also enables them to utilize specialized personnel whose technical knowledge base and experience may exceed the scope of the business, thus providing a higher level of technical support to their employees.

Multi-level tech support

Technical support is often subdivided into tiers, or levels, in order to better serve a business or customer base. The number of levels a business uses to organize their technical support group is dependent on the business’s needs regarding their ability to sufficiently serve their customers or users. The reason for providing a multi-tiered support system instead of one general support group is to provide the best possible service in the most efficient possible manner. Success of the organizational structure is dependent on the technicians‘ understanding of their level of responsibility and commitments, their customer response time commitments, and when to appropriately escalate an issue and to which level. A common support structure revolves around a three-tiered technical support system. Remote computer repair is a method for troubleshooting software related problems via remote desktop connections.

L1 Support

The first job of a Tier I specialist is to gather the customer’s information and to determine the customer’s issue by analyzing the symptoms and figuring out the underlying problem. When analyzing the symptoms, it is important for the technician to identify what the customer is trying to accomplish so that time is not wasted on “attempting to solve a symptom instead of a problem.”

Once identification of the underlying problem is established, the specialist can begin sorting through the possible solutions available. Technical support specialists in this group typically handle straightforward and simple problems while “possibly using some kind of knowledge management tool.” This includes troubleshooting methods such as verifying physical layer issues, resolving username and password problems, uninstalling/reinstalling basic software applications, verification of proper hardware and software set up, and assistance with navigating around application menus. Personnel at this level have a basic to general understanding of the product or service and may not always contain the competency required for solving complex issues. Nevertheless, the goal for this group is to handle 70–80% of the user problems before finding it necessary to escalate the issue to a higher level.

L2 Support

Tier II (or Level 2, abbreviated as T2 or L2) is a more in-depth technical support level than Tier I and therefore costs more as the technicians are more experienced and knowledgeable on a particular product or service. It is synonymous with level 2 support, support line 2, administrative level support, and various other headings denoting advanced technical troubleshooting and analysis methods. Technicians in this realm of knowledge are responsible for assisting Tier I personnel in solving basic technical problems and for investigating elevated issues by confirming the validity of the problem and seeking for known solutions related to these more complex issues. However, prior to the troubleshooting process, it is important that the technician review the work order to see what has already been accomplished by the Tier I technician and how long the technician has been working with the particular customer. This is a key element in meeting both the customer and business needs as it allows the technician to prioritize the troubleshooting process and properly manage their time.

If a problem is new and/or personnel from this group cannot determine a solution, they are responsible for elevating this issue to the Tier III technical support group. In addition, many companies may specify that certain troubleshooting solutions be performed by this group to help ensure the intricacies of a challenging issue are solved by providing experienced and knowledgeable technicians. This may include, but is not limited to, onsite installations or replacement of various hardware components, software repair, diagnostic testing, or the utilization of remote control tools to take over the user’s machine for the sole purpose of troubleshooting and finding a solution to the problem.

L3 Support

Tier III (or Level 3, abbreviated as T3 or L3) is the highest level of support in a three-tiered technical support model responsible for handling the most difficult or advanced problems. It is synonymous with level 3 support, 3rd line support, back-end support, support line 3, high-end support, and various other headings denoting expert level troubleshooting and analysis methods. These individuals are experts in their fields and are responsible for not only assisting both Tier I and Tier II personnel, but with the research and development of solutions to new or unknown issues. Note that Tier III technicians have the same responsibility as Tier II technicians in reviewing the work order and assessing the time already spent with the customer so that the work is prioritized and time management is sufficiently utilized. If it is at all possible, the technician will work to solve the problem with the customer as it may become apparent that the Tier I and/or Tier II technicians simply failed to discover the proper solution. Upon encountering new problems, however, Tier III personnel must first determine whether or not to solve the problem and may require the customer’s contact information so that the technician can have adequate time to troubleshoot the issue and find a solution. It is typical for a developer or someone who knows the code or backend of the product, to be the Tier 3 support person.

In some instances, an issue may be so problematic to the point where the product cannot be salvaged and must be replaced. Such extreme problems are also sent to the original developers for in-depth analysis. If it is determined that a problem can be solved, this group is responsible for designing and developing one or more courses of action, evaluating each of these courses in a test case environment, and implementing the best solution to the problem. While not universally used, a fourth level often represents an escalation point beyond the organization. L4 support is generally a hardware or software vendor.

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