Adding New Functions To Wordpress

[jerxs]

I know shit about php, maybe a little bit, but an absolute minimal amount of it. I have been trying to learn what I can along the way and am hoping to learn a bit more now.

I am making a custom theme for Wordpress, it is a three column layout and I will be using a "left-sidebar.php" and "right-sidebar.php" instead of the default "sidebar.php." How do I go about doing this?

This is the extent of my PHP knowledge, I know I can call those files by using
<?php include ( 'right-sidebar.php' ); ?> , but im pretty sure this isnt the way to go, when I try to use <?php get_left-sidebar() ?> I get an error stating that its an undefined function?

I would really appreciate if someone could help me out here and maybe walk me through the process of defining a new function in wordpress. If it meens anything, I will help yah out in the future if you ever need anything that I can help yah with.

Much appreciated! Jer

 

[meln]

Why don't you download a three-column theme and modify it instead of starting from scratch? Most of the times you can redo the whole look simply by moving around some stuff and redoing the css file.

 

[[R]DeVore]

the php include is a good way to go. I'll send you a PM tomorrow (after xxx-mas) with some info on what I do with mine.

 

[jerxs]

Why don't you download a three-column theme and modify it instead of starting from scratch? Most of the times you can redo the whole look simply by moving around some stuff and redoing the css file.

Thats what I been doing, im more interested in learning how to do it. I need to move on and learn some new stuff, mainly more PHP.

Thank Devore, Id appreciate it.

Meryy X-mass Jer

 

[John]

ahhh where would I be without good ol php include

 

[jerxs]

Does it really matter which route I take, what would be the benefit of doing one over the other?

 

[Mike]

Personal preference. On one hand you'll probably learn a little more about PHP, on the other hand, you may get it done quicker. I say take the harder route and learn something about PHP, but that's just me.

 

[jerxs]

Thats one reason id like to go the other route, ive been designing allot of wordpress sites lately and and learning how to ad functions and what not would help allot.

Off to scour the net for some tutorials!

Jer