Learning Pathway: Intermediate Plugin Developer

[jonathanbossenger]

Learning Pathway: Intermediate Plugin Developer

The intermediate plugin developer has the fundamental knowledge needed to develop for WordPress gained in the Beginner Developer Learning Pathway and has decided to focus on plugin development.

See the all the Developer pathways outlined in this document.

It is estimated that a single content creator working full-time on this content, at an average of 2.5 video lessons per week, will take approximately 21 weeks to complete all the lessons in this learning pathway.

The estimated date for completion is 20 December 2024.

Call for contributors post: https://make.wordpress.org/training/2024/07/30/call-for-contributors-intermediate-plugin-developer-learning-pathway/

Public GitHub repository for all lesson scripts: https://github.com/wptrainingteam/learn-wp-content/
Location of scripts for this learning pathway: https://github.com/wptrainingteam/learn-wp-content/tree/main/plugin-developer-learning-pathway

Module 1: Plugin Development Practices

Lessons

• PHP code structure #2849
• Naming Collisions #2857
• Activation/Deactivation methods #2698
• Uninstall Methods #2699
• Development Best Practices #2696

Module 2: Advanced Hooks

Lessons

• Custom hooks #2700
• Removing hooks #2701
• Determining the correct hook #2702
• Hook best practices #2821

Module 3: Advanced Blocks

Lessons

• Modern JavaScript #2703
• React without JSX #2882
• Nested blocks #2704
• Extending blocks with Block Variations #2705
• Block Editor Hooks #2706
• Block Hooks #2874
• Fetching WordPress core data #2707

Module 4: Advanced WP REST API

Lessons

• Custom routes and endpoints #2753
• The Custom Controller Pattern #2754
• Authentication: JSON Web Tokens #2755
• Authentication: OAuth #2756

Module 5: Advanced Custom Post Types

Lessons

• Working with Custom Post Types #2718

Module 6: Advanced Metadata

Lessons

• Managing Post Metadata #2733
• Custom Meta Boxes #2719
• Rendering Post Metadata #2720

Module 7: Custom database tables

Lessons

• Creating custom tables #1940
• Interacting with custom tables #2721

Module 8: Advanced Internationalisation

Lessons

• Internationalization Security #2722

Module 9: Users

Lessons

• Working with Users #2723
• Working with User Metadata #2724

Module 10: Developing with Roles and Capabilities

Lessons

• How to create/modify/remove roles and capabilities #2710
• How to check user capabilities #2711
• Custom content types and capabilities #2712

Module 11: Privacy

Lessons

• Privacy Policy Content and Tools #2725
• Personal Data Export #2726
• Personal Data Erasure #2727

Module 12: Cron

Lessons

• Understanding WP-Cron Scheduling #2728
• Scheduling WP Cron Events #2729
• Hooking WP-Cron Into the System Task Scheduler #2730
• Testing of WP-Cron #2731

Module 13: Rendering Content

• Rendering plugin data #2182

Module 14: Developer tools

Lessons

• Debug Bar and Add-Ons #2797
• Helper Plugins #2798

Module 15: The Plugin Directory

Lessons

• Introduction to the Plugin directory #2757
• Detailed Plugin Guidelines #2758
• Planning and Submitting a Plugins #2759
• How Your Plugin Assets Work #2760
• Using Subversion #2761
• Using the Forums #2799
• Plugin Maintenance #2800

Module 16: The Block Directory

Lessons

• Block Specific Plugin Guidelines #2762
• Add Your Plugin to the Block Directory #2763

On hold till WordPress 6.7

• Block Bindings #2709

[jonathanbossenger]

Note: Once the Interactivity API has landed in core, add it to this learning pathway

[jonathanbossenger]

Related: Custom Database Tables

• Tutorial - Custom Database Tables #1867
• Creating custom tables #1940

[jonathanbossenger]

Consider adding a new module on advanced WP REST API Authentication covering

• JSON Web Tokens
• OAuth

[jonathanbossenger]

Update, moved the Roles and Capabilities module from the beginner pathway to here. Moved the lesson on enqueuing CSS and JS to the Introduction to plugin development module in the beginner pathway.

[jonathanbossenger]

Consider adding an advanced WP REST API module covering

• creating custom routes and endpoints via register_rest_route
• creating custom routes and endpoints via Controller Classes

[jonathanbossenger]

Consider including #2461

[jonathanbossenger]

How can we include The Storybook into the module on advanced block development

[jonathanbossenger]

Note to self, once #1984 is launched, re-review the modules/lessons in this pathway, to ensure the content is still relevant.

[eirichmond]

@jonathanbossenger I believe I've seen a response to my question in another Learning Pathway issue, but I would like to clarify it here as well. Firstly, I must say that this proposal appears to be a comprehensive and valuable Learning Pathway for plugin development. My question is: are you proposing to complete this project individually, or is there an opportunity for others, like myself, to contribute a single module collaboratively? Apologies if this seems like a basic question; I just want to ensure I understand the commitment required.

[jonathanbossenger]

@eirichmond great question.

I would greatly appreciate any and all help I can get 😁

As a team, one of our primary goals for the Learning Pathways project is to create "clear, user-friendly pathway for learners of different levels, roles, and use-cases.".

This, and the other developer-focused pathways, form part of that goal.

As you may have seen from the beginner and theme developer , the more folks we can onboard to help us create this content, the faster it gets created.

an opportunity for others, like myself, to contribute a single module collaboratively?

I also wanted to highlight this point. I think it's important for each module to be self-contained. This means it would be ideal if the design and presentation of all the lessons in any specific module were the same. You will see this in the Introduction to WordPress themes module that Cynthia created for the beginner pathway and any of the modules she worked on in the theme developer pathway.

So if possible, it would be great if individual collaborators were able to take ownership of a specific module, instead of only working on specific lessons.

Final note, the planned deadline for this learning pathway is the end of 2025, so we do have some time. Please only take on that which you feel you have time for, it's important to me that contributors are able to balance life, work, and their volunteer contributions.

[jonathanbossenger]

• Consider removing Administration Menus and Settings, with the upcoming admin overhaul, these might be redundant soon
• Consider removing module Shortcodes for v1 of this learning pathway

[jonathanbossenger]

Module: Administration Menus

Objective:

Lessons

• Top-Level Menus #2713
• Sub-Menus #2714

Module: Settings

Objective:

Lessons

• Settings API #2732
• Using Settings API #2715
• Options API #2716
• Building a Custom Settings Page #2717

Module: Shortcodes

Objective:

Lessons

• Basic Shortcodes
• Enclosing Shortcodes
• Shortcodes with Parameters

[jonathanbossenger]

Content creation resources

Documentation

• Lessons section in the Training Team Handbook
  • How I create lessons

Example Module/lessons

Beginner Developer Module 4: WordPress Hooks

Title	GitHub Issue	Script URL	Lesson URL
WordPress Hooks	#2079	Script	Lesson
WordPress Action Hooks	#2080	Script	Lesson
WordPress Filter Hooks	#2081	Script	Lesson
Working with hooks	#2209	Script	Lesson

[jonathanbossenger]

To anyone interested in contributing to this learning pathway, please share in which of the areas listed in the original post you think you'd be able to help out with?

1. Scriptwriting: Research lesson topics and write draft scripts that meet the lesson’s learning outcomes.
2. Voice recording: Taking an existing script and recording the audio portion of a video lesson.
3. Video editing: Merging a script with a voice recording and compiling a clear and engaging video lesson.
4. Content creation: Taking an existing script (or researching and writing your own) and producing an entire video lesson
5. Reviewing: Watching a completed video lesson and reviewing it for technical accuracy.

[courtneyr-dev]

Hey @olafleur-godaddy when you are back, tagging you in based upon some of our chats at WordCamp Canada and thinking you might be interested in some of this area.

[CrochetFeve0251]

Hey @jonathanbossenger ,

I saw you were looking for some contributors.

I would be glad to help.

Concerning module 2 about custom hooks, I am wondering about something.
Should we talk about the fact filters are not returning a guaranteed type? (I didn't saw it mentioned anywhere in the documentation)

I think that could help them adopt good practices from the standard and not spend hours trying to figure out what is the problem in their code when it comes from a wrong callback on the website from a client.

I also did some page about that topic here which explains the issue and how we are currently solving this at WP Media. Maybe it could inspire us for this tutorial.

[jonathanbossenger]

Hey @CrochetFeve0251

Thanks for your interest. Perhaps you could leave the comment on the issue for the Custom Hooks lesson, and we can discuss it further there?

[courtneyr-dev]

I've asked the plugin review team to especially take a peek at Modules 15 & 16 https://wordpress.slack.com/archives/C1LBM36LC/p1722373446911739

[thisismyurl]

@jonathanbossenger, I'd be interested in contributing if you're still looking for a developer with a background in plugin development.

[DevinWalker]

Hey hey! I'm also interested in contributing.

[tarecord]

Hey @jonathanbossenger, I'm totally down, this sounds right up my alley 🤘🏼

[jonathanbossenger]

Thanks for your interest @thisismyurl @DevinWalker @tarecord

To anyone interested in contributing to this learning pathway, please share in which of the areas listed in the original post you think you'd be able to help out with?

1. Scriptwriting: Research lesson topics and write draft scripts that meet the lesson’s learning outcomes.
2. Voice recording: Taking an existing script and recording the audio portion of a video lesson.
3. Video editing: Merging a script with a voice recording and compiling a clear and engaging video lesson.
4. Content creation: Taking an existing script (or researching and writing your own) and producing an entire video lesson
5. Reviewing: Watching a completed video lesson and reviewing it for technical accuracy.

Please also indicate if there are any modules above that you have a strong desire to collaborate on.

[CrochetFeve0251]

@jonathanbossenger

For my part, I can help on:

1. Scriptwriting: Research lesson topics and write draft scripts that meet the lesson’s learning outcomes.
2. Reviewing: Watching a completed video lesson and reviewing it for technical accuracy.

For Voice recording: Taking an existing script and recording the audio portion of a video lesson I can try to make as well, but I am not sure about the quality so far.

Concerning modules, I think I would be more useful in theses:

• Module 2: Advanced Hooks
• Module 12: Cron

I can help on other parts, but I think that it is where I have the most experience.

[jonathanbossenger]

@CrochetFeve0251, that all sounds great to me.

For Voice recording: Taking an existing script and recording the audio portion of a video lesson I can try to make as well, but I am not sure about the quality so far.

I understand, we can experiment with this, and see how it goes.

For now, shall we start with you scriptwriting the lessons in Module 2: Advanced hooks? I'd rather focus on assigning one set of lessons at a time, that try to overload you with too many lessons at once.

[jonathanbossenger]

In order to help with notifying folks of updates to the development of this learning pathway, I have assigned everyone who indicated their interest to this tracking issue. If you don't want to be notified of updates to this issue, please let me know, and I will unassign you.

[jonathanbossenger]

Today, I created an unplanned lesson on PHP code structure, which aims to introduce beginners to using classes in PHP.

The main reason behind this lesson is to introduce the concept of classes in PHP, as one of the examples of avoiding naming collisions in plugins is to use a class with static methods.

The Advanced developer learning pathway has an entire module on Object Oriented PHP development for WordPress, (which still needs to be fleshed out) and so it's probably best to leave the bulk of that learning in that module, but introduce some basic concepts here.

If anyone would like to review the script, it's linked in the lesson issue. Please feel free to leave your feedback in the comments on that issue.

[CrochetFeve0251]

Today, I created an unplanned lesson on PHP code structure, which aims to introduce beginners to using classes in PHP.

The main reason behind this lesson is to introduce the concept of classes in PHP, as one of the examples of avoiding naming collisions in plugins is to use a class with static methods.

The Advanced developer learning pathway has an entire module on Object Oriented PHP development for WordPress, (which still needs to be fleshed out) and so it's probably best to leave the bulk of that learning in that module, but introduce some basic concepts here.

If anyone would like to review the script, it's linked in the lesson issue. Please feel free to leave your feedback in the comments on that issue.

Mmmm while it is a good idea to actually teach them how to prevent clashes between plugins or themes, I am wondering if teaching them to use namespaces wouldn't be a better option rather than using a unique class name.

That would make them learn only one notion instead of learning a first one then having to change it with another which is the modern way of doing it.

[eirichmond]

Just realised I might have put my comment on the wrong thing >< it's been a while since revisiting this and there has been some awesome work done here, it's great 👍 I'd be more than happy to take on one of these modules to show an example of how I would create a video with graphic elements to demonstrate what I can contribute to this?

[jonathanbossenger]

Mmmm while it is a good idea to actually teach them how to prevent clashes between plugins or themes, I am wondering if teaching them to use namespaces wouldn't be a better option rather than using a unique class name.

@CrochetFeve0251 I agree with you there. While I was working on the script for #2696 I realised that the documentation on doesn't even include namespaces, probably because it was written in a time before namespaces were common place. So I'm going to include namespaces as a solution in #2696, and look at getting the docs updated at the same time.

[jonathanbossenger]

Just realised I might have put my comment on the wrong thing >< it's been a while since revisiting this and there has been some awesome work done here, it's great 👍 I'd be more than happy to take on one of these modules to show an example of how I would create a video with graphic elements to demonstrate what I can contribute to this?

Thanks @eirichmond. At the moment we do have video creators paired with script writers for the first two modules, but I will certainly reach out to you if we have more scripts that need video creation.

[jonathanbossenger]

Update on learning pathway deadline.

I want to share an update on the proposed deadline for this learning pathway.

In the original description of this issue, I indicated it would take approximately 20 weeks to complete all the lessons in this learning pathway. With the original call for contributors post shared on 30 July 2024, 20 weeks would mean aiming for completion on 13 December 2024.

Since then, additional lessons have been added to the pathway, bringing the total up to 53 lessons (from the original 50). This means we need approximately another week, pushing the deadline to 20 December 2024.

From now on, I will ask all contributors to share their ETAs for whatever they are working on in the individual GitHub issues so that we can plan specific tasks and work towards completion by this date. I will also post monthly updates on progress here at the end of every month. These updates will be shared with the training team during weekly training meetings at the start of every new month.

[MichelleBlanchette]

Including myself here on the main thread. 👋

I'm happy to help with reviewing for technical accuracy, proper language, typos, offering suggestions, and maybe even writing scripts for any lessons as needed to help us meet the December deadline.

If you need anything, just @ me.

This is my first time contributing to Training, but I'm excited to finally have the chance to help!

Cheers!

[MichelleBlanchette]

@jonathanbossenger I just realized there's no mention of making plugins compatible with WordPress multisite installations, unless I'm missing something.

Should a lesson be added to quickly note some considerations that plugin developers should be aware of? There's particularly considerations when it comes to custom database tables and uninstalling data across all subsites, so maybe it could be a lesson under that module.

[jonathanbossenger]

Hi @MichelleBlanchette thanks for your interest.

I'm happy to help with reviewing for technical accuracy, proper language, typos, offering suggestions, and maybe even writing scripts for any lessons as needed to help us meet the December deadline.

Currently, modules 1-3 have script writers, so feel free to comment on any of the lessons from module 4 onward, if you'd like to write scripts for them.

I just realized there's no mention of making plugins compatible with WordPress multisite installations, unless I'm missing something.

There is a lesson on developing for multisite in the Multisite module on the Beginner developer learning pathway

• Link to the module in tracking issue
• Published learning pathway

If there's anything you feel is missing from those lessons, you're welcome to suggest it. However, it might have to wait until there's an available content creator or once this learning pathway's content wraps up.

[jonathanbossenger]

Content update: 2024-09-12

I've moved two lessons, #2708 and #2764 into a TBD (to be determined) section.

• Interactive blocks is an incorrect title for a lesson on the Interactivity API. Also, that probably needs to be it's own module and include a couple of lessons.
• The WordPress Components Storybook isn't a fully formed lesson yet, I need to do some research on what would typically be included there.

Once these modules/lessons are fleshed out better, we could perhaps add them to the learning pathway later.

[jonathanbossenger]

There seems to be a limit to how many contributors can be assigned to a single GitHub issue. Therefore, I will only assign people to this tracking issue who are currently actively working on individual lesson content. If you want to receive updates on this issue, please consider subscribing.

[jonathanbossenger]

A note to all contributors to this (and any other developer-focused content for learn.wordpress.org): for the past year or so, I've been maintaining a GitHub repository of all my notes and scripts (online workshops, lessons, courses, etc). I find it easier to maintain these scripts in markdown in GitHub to allow for better collaboration.

Today I moved this repository to the wptrainingteam GitHub organisation, so that it's available more publicly. If you are working on content for learn.wordpress.org, and you'd like to use this repository as well, please go ahead and fork it, and start creating PRs.

https://github.com/wptrainingteam/learn-wp-content

If you want to add your lessons in this pathway to that repository, all the plugin developer lesson scripts are available here https://github.com/wptrainingteam/learn-wp-content/tree/main/plugin-developer-learning-pathway

[MichelleBlanchette]

@jonathanbossenger I'd like to claim Module 7: Custom Databases if it's available. I can do all the writing and video recording for it—possibly even the video editing, too. But I'll definitely be happy to receive any feedback and reviews along the way.

I'm actually interested in several of the other module topics, too, but I'll just have to see how long it takes me and how much time I have to work on these, so I'll just claim the one for now. 🙂

[jonathanbossenger]

I'd like to claim Module 7: Custom Databases if it's available.

@MichelleBlanchette it's yours! 🎉 I will assign you to the first lesson.

[jessecowens]

Hi @jonathanbossenger I'd like to claim the REST API module if no one's volunteered for it yet

[jonathanbossenger]

I am moving these TBD items out of the requirements for this pathway at this time, and I will review them once the core of the learning pathway is completed.

TDB

• Interactive Blocks #2708
• WordPress UI Components Storybook #2764

[jonathanbossenger]

Hi @jonathanbossenger I'd like to claim the REST API module if no one's volunteered for it yet

@jessecowens welcome, and it's yours! 😁

Could I confirm, are you volunteering for script writing, video recording/editing, or both? No pressure, I just need to know if I need to pair you up with someone or not.

[jessecowens]

Hi @jonathanbossenger I'd like to claim the REST API module if no one's volunteered for it yet

@jessecowens welcome, and it's yours! 😁

Could I confirm, are you volunteering for script writing, video recording/editing, or both? No pressure, I just need to know if I need to pair you up with someone or not.

I can do the whole process, though I saw one script may already be ready for review?

[jonathanbossenger]

I can do the whole process

Great stuff @jessecowens. Please comment on the issues for those lessons, thanks to the weird way GitHub works, I can't assign you unless you comment on them.

I saw one script may already be ready for review?

Not in that module, no. There are other scripts in other modules, but those are currently in production.

[jonathanbossenger]

Production update - 2024-09-20

This is a high-level update of the course progress. I will do my best to post an update every Friday going forward.

Module 1: Plugin Development Practices

Script writing and audio recording: @jonathanbossenger, video creation @agiljulio

• PHP code structure #2849 is ready to review
• Naming Collisions #2857 is currently in video production
• Activation/Deactivation methods #2698 has a script ready for video production
• Uninstall Methods #2699 has a script ready for video production

Module 2: Advanced Hooks

Script writing: @CrochetFeve0251, video creation @webcreativeng

• Custom hooks #2700 has a script ready for video production
• Removing hooks #2701 has a script ready for video production
• Determining the correct hook #2702 has a draft script ready for proofreading

Module 3: Advanced Blocks

Script writing and video creation @jonathanbossenger

• Modern JavaScript #2703 is ready to review
• React without JSX #2882 is ready to review
• Nested blocks #2704 is ready to review
• Extending blocks with Block Variations #2705 is ready to review
• Block Editor Hooks #2706 is being edited, and will be ready for review on Monday
• Block Hooks #2874 is being edited, and will be ready for review on Monday
• Fetching WordPress core data #2707 is being edited, and will be ready for review on Monday

Module 4: Advanced WP REST API

Script writing and video creation @jessecowens

Module 7: Custom database tables

Script writing and video creation @MichelleBlanchette

[MichelleBlanchette]

@jonathanbossenger Thank you for the concise update! I see many have items pending review. Am I able to help with that? That's at least something easier I can help with during the week, while I only really have time to make content on the weekends.

[jonathanbossenger]

You are welcome to review any videos that are available @MichelleBlanchette. The guidelines for reviewing content are available here.

[jonathanbossenger]

This is a quick note to all contributors: I am away on spring family vacation this coming week, so I will not be as active as usual. I'll still check emails/pings, etc, but response times might be delayed. Thanks.