what method do you use when extending a widget?

When you create your own custom widget, do you use

function Widget_Name

or do you use __construct, whats the difference between them both?

class Custom_Widget extends WP_Widget {

//function Custom_Widget() {

function __construct()  {

I wouldn’t worry about it Chris. I personally would choose function Widget_Name

I use __construct() because it’s proper PHP coding

However, there are no differences between __construct and just using the name of your class.

and what about parent::WP_Widget and $this->WP_Widget

?

ive seen people do both.

chrismccoy said
and what about parent::WP_Widget and $this->WP_Widget

?

ive seen people do both.

This http://php.net/manual/en/keyword.parent.php explains it well.

If you extend a class, the class you’re extending becomes the parent. $this (or self:: if it’s a static class) means the class you’re using it in.

LandonWilson said
However, there are no differences between __construct and just using the name of your class.

PHP4 -> constructor function name = name of the class

PHP5 -> constructor function name = __construct

ZoomIt said

LandonWilson said
However, there are no differences between __construct and just using the name of your class.

PHP4 -> constructor function name = name of the class

PHP5 -> constructor function name = __construct

I don’t think anyone supports PHP4 anymore. It’s way too outdated to worry about.

LandonWilson said

ZoomIt said

LandonWilson said
However, there are no differences between __construct and just using the name of your class.

PHP4 -> constructor function name = name of the class

PHP5 -> constructor function name = __construct

I don’t think anyone supports PHP4 anymore. It’s way too outdated to worry about.

php4 isn’t support by WordPress anymore so why support it in themes?

OrganicBeeMedia said

LandonWilson said

ZoomIt said

LandonWilson said
However, there are no differences between __construct and just using the name of your class.

PHP4 -> constructor function name = name of the class

PHP5 -> constructor function name = __construct

I don’t think anyone supports PHP4 anymore. It’s way too outdated to worry about.

php4 isn’t support by WordPress anymore so why support it in themes?

Well, someone could be using an old version of WordPress, but I’d rather white those people out and tell them to upgrade rather than give myself a back ache.

I’m not supporting PHP4 .

I’m just pointing out the difference because that was the topic