Comments on: So we need a new term to describe widgets http://ptahdunbar.com/wordpress/so-we-need-a-new-term-to-describe-widgets/ Web Craftsman, WordPress hacker and Entrepreneur. Tue, 16 Feb 2010 19:17:03 +0000 hourly 1 By: Justin Tadlock http://ptahdunbar.com/wordpress/so-we-need-a-new-term-to-describe-widgets/#comment-3107 Justin Tadlock Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:43:32 +0000 http://ptahdunbar.com/?p=580#comment-3107 Ryan, I definitely agree that <code>get_sidebar()</code> should stay. It's perfect for including sidebars. I think the biggest issue is just breaking out of the mindset that widgets only go in sidebars. Ryan, I definitely agree that get_sidebar() should stay. It’s perfect for including sidebars.

I think the biggest issue is just breaking out of the mindset that widgets only go in sidebars.

]]> By: Justin Tadlock http://ptahdunbar.com/wordpress/so-we-need-a-new-term-to-describe-widgets/#comment-3106 Justin Tadlock Thu, 26 Feb 2009 00:39:41 +0000 http://ptahdunbar.com/?p=580#comment-3106 No, we actually have the same idea here from what I can see. I agree that all that would be needed is a new function like you've shown. But, <code>get_widget()</code> just sounds like you're only grabbing a single widget. When, in fact, we would be loading an entire widget area (i.e. container, section, etc.). I think <code>get_widget_area()</code> would make more sense here. I did notice that in the title of your post, you said we need a new "term to describe widgets." I'd like to keep the current terminology for widgets. What I want is a new term to describe the thing that contains widgets, which we've been calling sidebars. No, we actually have the same idea here from what I can see. I agree that all that would be needed is a new function like you’ve shown. But, get_widget() just sounds like you’re only grabbing a single widget. When, in fact, we would be loading an entire widget area (i.e. container, section, etc.).

I think get_widget_area() would make more sense here.

I did notice that in the title of your post, you said we need a new “term to describe widgets.” I’d like to keep the current terminology for widgets. What I want is a new term to describe the thing that contains widgets, which we’ve been calling sidebars.

]]> By: Ryan http://ptahdunbar.com/wordpress/so-we-need-a-new-term-to-describe-widgets/#comment-3105 Ryan Wed, 25 Feb 2009 23:12:12 +0000 http://ptahdunbar.com/?p=580#comment-3105 The term get_sidebar should definitely stay. They function calls up a particular template, which is intended for sidebars. It has nothing to do with the issue over widgets, it just coincidentally happens to often be used for displaying widgets. The term get_sidebar should definitely stay. They function calls up a particular template, which is intended for sidebars. It has nothing to do with the issue over widgets, it just coincidentally happens to often be used for displaying widgets.

]]> By: Ptah Dunbar http://ptahdunbar.com/wordpress/so-we-need-a-new-term-to-describe-widgets/#comment-3104 Ptah Dunbar Wed, 25 Feb 2009 09:32:39 +0000 http://ptahdunbar.com/?p=580#comment-3104 Seems like we have different ways of calling widgets. You mind explaining your way for how you'd like widgets to work? Updated the article for <code>locate_template</code> instead of <code>load_template</code>. Didn't know about that neat function. Seems like we have different ways of calling widgets. You mind explaining your way for how you’d like widgets to work?

Updated the article for locate_template instead of load_template. Didn’t know about that neat function.

]]> By: Justin Tadlock http://ptahdunbar.com/wordpress/so-we-need-a-new-term-to-describe-widgets/#comment-3103 Justin Tadlock Wed, 25 Feb 2009 08:13:49 +0000 http://ptahdunbar.com/?p=580#comment-3103 I haven't made up my mind just yet. I was hoping to hear something from someone a bit more "official," but none of the WP.org developers chimed in. Personally, I wouldn't name a function that gets a widget area <code>get_widget</code>. It sounds like you're only grabbing one widget instead of an entire set of widgets. Maybe just append an "s" on the end, at least. While it would be neat to get some new terminology, maybe we don't even need it. WP 2.7 introduced the <code>locate_template</code> function, which gives plenty of control over templates. Maybe it's best if theme developers are left to come up with their own terminology. I haven’t made up my mind just yet. I was hoping to hear something from someone a bit more “official,” but none of the WP.org developers chimed in.

Personally, I wouldn’t name a function that gets a widget area get_widget. It sounds like you’re only grabbing one widget instead of an entire set of widgets. Maybe just append an “s” on the end, at least.

While it would be neat to get some new terminology, maybe we don’t even need it. WP 2.7 introduced the locate_template function, which gives plenty of control over templates. Maybe it’s best if theme developers are left to come up with their own terminology.

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