project

.NET

Your task this week is to continue building the project from last week but to try and add some .NET tests and more broadly to use dependency injection.

Spike

Before you start think what are your dependencies. Which of these are tightly tied to other classes in a way that will slow development or make testing hard. If you want to replace this with dependency injection think what will the interface look like.

Questions to consider

• What do you want the structure of your project to look like and how should the solution file be configured to allow that?

• Where do you want to use dependency injections in my code?

• How will you test the functionality of the API?

• Where you are using interfaces what keys and methods will the interface need to look for?

Acceptance Criteria

• Tests for all the functions of your APIs

• Tests run without making changes to the actual database

• Code is efficiently organized and has been refactored

Stretch criteria

• Add verification to your code and test its functionality

---

PHP

Building the Custom Plugin and Theme Integration

Monday: Planning the Plugin Functionality

• Objectives:

  • Define the plugin's purpose, features, and data requirements.

  • Design the database schema if needed.

  • Set up version control.

• Activities:

  1. Brainstorm Plugin Ideas:

     • Possible Ideas:

       • Event Manager with custom event posts.

       • Testimonials plugin with submission form.

       • Simple CRM for managing contacts.

  2. Outline Main Features:

     • User Interactions:

       • Front-end forms for data submission.

       • Admin pages for data management.

     • Functionality:

       • CRUD operations (Create, Read, Update, Delete).

       • Notifications or email integration.

  3. Design Database Schema:

     • Identify Data Entities:

       • Determine what data needs to be stored.

     • Sketch Tables and Relationships:

       • Use diagrams or tools like Draw.io.

  4. Set Up Version Control:

     • Initialize Git Repository:

       • Run git init in your plugin directory.

     • Create a Remote Repository:

       • Use GitHub, GitLab, or Bitbucket.

     • Commit and Push Changes:

       • Stage files with git add ., commit with git commit -m "Initial commit", and push to remote.

• Resources:

  • Guide to Custom Post Types (Official Docs)

  • Git Basics (Git-SCM)

  • Database Schema Best Practices (DigitalOcean)

---

Tuesday: Developing the Plugin Backend

• Objectives:

  • Start coding the core functionality of the plugin.

  • Create custom post types and taxonomies.

  • Build admin menus and settings pages.

• Activities:

  1. Register Custom Post Types (CPT):

     • Add Code in Plugin File:

       function create_custom_post_type() {
         $labels = array(
           'name' => __( 'Events' ),
           'singular_name' => __( 'Event' ),
           'add_new' => __( 'Add New Event' ),
           'add_new_item' => __( 'Add New Event' ),
           'edit_item' => __( 'Edit Event' ),
           'new_item' => __( 'New Event' ),
           'all_items' => __( 'All Events' ),
           'view_item' => __( 'View Event' ),
           'search_items' => __( 'Search Events' ),
           'not_found' => __( 'No events found' ),
           'not_found_in_trash' => __( 'No events found in Trash' ),
           'menu_name' => __( 'Events' )
         );
         $args = array(
           'labels' => $labels,
           'public' => true,
           'has_archive' => true,
           'supports' => array( 'title', 'editor', 'custom-fields', 'thumbnail' ),
           'rewrite' => array( 'slug' => 'events' ),
         );
         register_post_type( 'event', $args );
       }
       add_action( 'init', 'create_custom_post_type' );

  2. Add Custom Taxonomies:

     • Register Taxonomy:

       function create_event_taxonomies() {
         $labels = array(
           'name' => __( 'Event Types' ),
           'singular_name' => __( 'Event Type' ),
           'search_items' =>  __( 'Search Event Types' ),
           'all_items' => __( 'All Event Types' ),
           'parent_item' => __( 'Parent Event Type' ),
           'parent_item_colon' => __( 'Parent Event Type:' ),
           'edit_item' => __( 'Edit Event Type' ),
           'update_item' => __( 'Update Event Type' ),
           'add_new_item' => __( 'Add New Event Type' ),
           'new_item_name' => __( 'New Event Type Name' ),
           'menu_name' => __( 'Event Types' ),
         );
         $args = array(
           'hierarchical' => true,
           'labels' => $labels,
           'show_ui' => true,
           'show_admin_column' => true,
           'query_var' => true,
           'rewrite' => array( 'slug' => 'event-type' ),
         );
         register_taxonomy( 'event_type', array( 'event' ), $args );
       }
       add_action( 'init', 'create_event_taxonomies', 0 );

  3. Build Admin Menus and Settings Pages:

     • Add Menu Page:

       function my_plugin_menu() {
         add_menu_page( 'Events Management', 'Events', 'manage_options', 'events', 'events_page', 'dashicons-calendar', 6 );
       }
       add_action( 'admin_menu', 'my_plugin_menu' );

     • Create Settings Page Content:

       function events_page() {
         echo '<div class="wrap"><h1>Events Management</h1>';
         // Add settings forms or data display here.
         echo '</div>';
       }

  4. Use the WordPress Settings API:

     • Register Settings:

       function my_plugin_settings() {
         register_setting( 'my-plugin-settings-group', 'my_option_name' );
       }
       add_action( 'admin_init', 'my_plugin_settings' );

     • Create Settings Form:

       function events_page() {
         ?>
         <div class="wrap">
           <h1>Events Management</h1>
           <form method="post" action="options.php">
             <?php settings_fields( 'my-plugin-settings-group' ); ?>
             <?php do_settings_sections( 'my-plugin-settings-group' ); ?>
             <table class="form-table">
               <tr valign="top">
                 <th scope="row">Option Name</th>
                 <td><input type="text" name="my_option_name" value="<?php echo esc_attr( get_option('my_option_name') ); ?>" /></td>
               </tr>
             </table>
             <?php submit_button(); ?>
           </form>
         </div>
         <?php
       }

• Resources:

  • How to Register Custom Taxonomies (Official Docs)

  • Admin Menus and Settings API (Official Docs)

  • Plugin Settings with the WordPress Settings API (Smashing Magazine)

---

Wednesday: Enhancing the Plugin with AJAX and APIs

• Objectives:

  • Implement dynamic features using AJAX.

  • Integrate external APIs if applicable.

• Activities:

  1. Implement AJAX in the Plugin:

     • Enqueue Scripts:

       function enqueue_plugin_scripts() {
         wp_enqueue_script( 'my-plugin-ajax', plugin_dir_url( __FILE__ ) . 'js/plugin-ajax.js', array('jquery'), null, true );
         wp_localize_script( 'my-plugin-ajax', 'ajax_object', array( 'ajax_url' => admin_url( 'admin-ajax.php' ) ) );
       }
       add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'enqueue_plugin_scripts' );

     • Create JavaScript File plugin-ajax.js:

       jQuery(document).ready(function ($) {
         $("#my-button").on("click", function () {
           $.ajax({
             url: ajax_object.ajax_url,
             type: "POST",
             data: {
               action: "my_ajax_action",
               data: "test",
             },
             success: function (response) {
               alert("Response: " + response);
             },
           });
         });
       });

     • Handle AJAX Request in PHP:

       function my_ajax_action() {
         $data = $_POST['data'];
         // Process data here.
         echo 'Received: ' . $data;
         wp_die(); // All AJAX handlers should die when finished.
       }
       add_action( 'wp_ajax_my_ajax_action', 'my_ajax_action' );
       add_action( 'wp_ajax_nopriv_my_ajax_action', 'my_ajax_action' );

  2. Integrate External APIs (Optional):

     • Choose an API:

       • For example, fetch event data from a public API like Eventbrite.

     • Make API Requests:

       • Use wp_remote_get() to fetch data.

       $response = wp_remote_get( 'https://api.eventbriteapi.com/v3/events/search/?token=YOUR_API_TOKEN' );
       if ( is_array( $response ) && ! is_wp_error( $response ) ) {
         $body = $response['body']; // use the content
         $data = json_decode( $body );
       }

     • Display Data on Front-End:

       • Process and output the data within templates or via shortcodes.

  3. Continue Integrating TypeScript:

     • Use TypeScript for AJAX Calls:

       • Convert plugin-ajax.js to TypeScript and place it in src/.

       import $ from "jquery";
       
       $(document).ready(function () {
         $("#my-button").on("click", function () {
           $.ajax({
             url: ajax_object.ajax_url,
             type: "POST",
             data: {
               action: "my_ajax_action",
               data: "test",
             },
             success: function (response) {
               alert("Response: " + response);
             },
           });
         });
       });

     • Update Build Process:

       • Ensure Webpack compiles the TypeScript file into JavaScript.

     • Enqueue the Compiled Script:

       • Update the script handle and path in your plugin.

• Resources:

  • Using AJAX in Plugins (Official Docs)

  • Fetch API Basics (MDN Web Docs)

  • Integrating APIs into WordPress (WPBeginner)

---

Thursday: Presentation Preparation and Delivery

• Objectives:

  • Prepare and deliver a 20-minute presentation showcasing the plugin progress.

  • Continue normal development activities.

• Activities:

  1. Morning Development:

     • Integrate Plugin with Theme:

       • Connect plugin functionalities to the custom theme.

     • Enhance Plugin Features:

       • Add new features or refine existing ones.

     • Debug and Test:

       • Ensure the plugin works seamlessly within the theme.

  2. Presentation Preparation (1 hour):

     • Summarize Plugin Progress:

       • Outline key functionalities developed.

     • Prepare Presentation Materials:

       • Create slides or notes.

       • Set up a live demo.

     • Rehearse:

       • Practice delivering the presentation within the time limit.

  3. Deliver the Presentation (20 minutes):

     • Presentation Content:

       • Introduce your plugin and its purpose.

       • Demonstrate key features and integrations.

       • Discuss challenges faced and solutions implemented.

     • Engage with the Audience:

       • Encourage questions and feedback.

  4. Afternoon Development:

     • Implement Feedback:

       • Incorporate any useful suggestions received during the presentation.

     • Continue Development:

       • Proceed with pending tasks.

• Resources:

  • Presentation Skills for Developers

  • Demo Preparation Checklist

---

Friday: Front-End Integration and Shortcodes

• Objectives:

  • Connect the plugin with the theme.

  • Provide user-facing features using shortcodes and widgets.

• Activities:

  1. Create Shortcodes to Display Plugin Data:

     • Display Events List:

       function display_events_shortcode() {
         $args = array(
           'post_type' => 'event',
           'posts_per_page' => -1,
         );
         $events = new WP_Query( $args );
         $output = '<ul>';
         if ( $events->have_posts() ) {
           while ( $events->have_posts() ) {
             $events->the_post();
             $output .= '<li>' . get_the_title() . ' - ' . get_the_date() . '</li>';
           }
         } else {
           $output .= '<li>No events found.</li>';
         }
         $output .= '</ul>';
         wp_reset_postdata();
         return $output;
       }
       add_shortcode( 'events_list', 'display_events_shortcode' );

     • Use Shortcode in a Page:

       • Add [events_list] to display the list of events.

  2. Design Front-End Templates for CPT:

     • Create Template Files:

       • single-event.php for individual events.

       • archive-event.php for event archives.

     • Customize Templates:

       • Use HTML and WordPress functions to display event details.

       • Example for single-event.php:

         <?php get_header(); ?>
         <div class="event-content">
           <?php
           if ( have_posts() ) :
             while ( have_posts() ) : the_post();
               ?>
               <h1><?php the_title(); ?></h1>
               <div class="event-meta">
                 <p>Date: <?php echo get_post_meta( get_the_ID(), 'event_date', true ); ?></p>
                 <p>Location: <?php echo get_post_meta( get_the_ID(), 'event_location', true ); ?></p>
               </div>
               <div class="event-description">
                 <?php the_content(); ?>
               </div>
               <?php
             endwhile;
           endif;
           ?>
         </div>
         <?php get_footer(); ?>

  3. Ensure Responsive Design and Accessibility:

     • Use Responsive CSS Frameworks (Optional):

       • Integrate Bootstrap or Tailwind CSS.

     • Accessibility Best Practices:

       • Use semantic HTML.

       • Ensure proper contrast and font sizes.

       • Add alt attributes to images.

  4. Optimize Assets with TypeScript and CSS Preprocessors:

     • Set Up SASS (Optional):

       • Install node-sass:

         npm install --save-dev node-sass

     • Update Build Process:

       • Configure Webpack to process SCSS files.

       • Example webpack.config.js update:

         module: {
           rules: [
             // ...existing rules
             {
               test: /\.scss$/,
               use: [
                 'style-loader',
                 'css-loader',
                 'sass-loader'
               ],
             },
           ],
         },

     • Organize Styles:

       • Create SCSS files in src/styles/.

     • Import Styles in TypeScript:

       import "./styles/main.scss";

• Resources:

  • Building Shortcodes (Official Docs)

  • Creating Widgets for Plugins (Official Docs)

  • Responsive Design Basics (MDN Web Docs)