Summary

We have come a long way from the initial concept to the final plugin. We have learned that using jQuery and Ajax with WordPress does not have to be hard.

The Live Blogroll plugin we created made our blogroll more attractive and interactive. When the user hovers the mouse over the links, a list of recent posts is displayed using Ajax to retrieve the information. We learned how to use Ajax with high-level jQuery functions and easily process the retrieved data.

Specifically, we covered:

  • Blogroll: Accessing and modifying information using WordPress filters hook
  • Fetching RSS feeds: Using built-in WordPress functionality with caching
  • Use scripts and other code in <head> section: Including JavaScript and CSS files using WordPress action hooks
  • Using jQuery: Setting up a jQuery file, with its powerful set of functions, and using it later with Ajax support
  • Ajax: Integrating Ajax with our scripts, and using it to generate content dynamically
  • Using nonces: Securing your WordPress plugins using nonces

Both jQuery and Ajax offer huge possibilities for plugin development. Making your plugins interact more with the users is definitely a trend to follow in the future.

The next step in our journey through WordPress plugin development will be a cool, Ajax-powered, Wall widget allowing users to leave comments much like a shoutbox.

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