Creating Custom Post Types

Robert Iseley — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 13:52:42 +0000

In this tutorial I will go over how to create “Custom Post Types”. I will go over two methods of doing this. The first will be the WordPress “traditional” method. The other will be using a php class method(class file required). The end result will be a “books” post type with two custom taxonomies(writers and genres). The traditional code for the custom post type is here. The traditional code for the custom taxonomies is here. All code will go into the functions file or a separate file that you do an include in the functions file.

The Bare Minimum

Traditional

add_action( ‘init’, ‘codex_custom_init’ );
function codex_custom_init() {
$args = array( ‘public’ => true, ‘label’ => ‘Books’ );
register_post_type( ‘book’, $args );
}

With the traditional method, you have to hook(add_action) in a function with your code at ‘init’(line 1). Line 2 you are setting arguments in an array to be used with register_post_type(line 3). Setting public to true(defaults to false), will allow you to see the post type in the backend. This also sets several other variables if left out(ie: publicly_queryable). Label will become your post type and be displayed in place of ‘post’ normal locations.

Class Method

include(‘riCustomPostTypeClass.php’);
$books = new riCustomPostType(‘books’);
$books->register();

With my custom class method, you will need to include the class file in order to use the class(line 1). Line 2, a class object is being created. “New” is required before the class in order to create an instance of the class. The instance is saved to a variable. Then the register class function(line 3) is ran in order to hook in the register_post_type into init. This will always be the last line for the instance.