Finally, we arrive at the concept of template tags. These are bits of code, specific to WordPress, that insert information from your MySQL database.
Each tag has a default action. This action can be extended or modified with parameters. You don't need to know PHP to use template tags. In fact, template tags make it easy for people who are not PHP programmers to use the dynamic nature and functionality of PHP.
Let's break things down. Here's a common example: you want to display a list of your categories. Guess what? A template tag will dynamically spit out the list. Saving your time—since you do not need to type them out individually. You can also add categories or rename an existing category, and these changes will automatically be available throughout the live site. Pretty neat? Here is how it works:
<?php wp_list_categories(); ?>
1. Template tags need to be wrapped in PHP tags, so they must start with
<?phpand end with?>. That's as...