What is Plugins in Wordpress and Plugin Functions
New WordPress users will wonder what a plugin is and what a plugin does for WordPress. If so, it's a good idea to read this article to the end so you don't get curious about the meaning of plugins, plugin functions, and how plugins work.
You need a plugin if you are using WordPress on your own hosting or self hosting. If you use free WordPress then you don't need a plugin because there really isn't a feature to add a plugin. Plugins can enhance the functionality of new features for WordPress sites so that WordPress can be used for various site purposes. The WordPress plugin is written in the PHP (Personal Home Page) programming language and integrates very seamlessly with WordPress.
Plugins play an important role for WordPress and are an inseparable part of WordPress. Plugins also have different functions, depending on the needs of your site. For example, when you want to build an online store website on WordPress, you have to install a plugin like woocommerce that has functions and features for an online store.
What are Plugins?
A plugin is a computer program that adds to the functionality of a main program. While a WordPress plugin is an additional program that can be integrated with WordPress to provide other functions that are not yet available in a standard installation. It can also be called an application or a set of additional program applications that contain scripted functions in the PHP language that provide specific features or services to enhance functionality in the use of WordPress blogs, which can be combined with blogs using access points and methods provided by WordPress.
WordPress Plugin Functions
WordPress plugin functions are intended for various needs, including:
- Allows third parties to add capabilities to the WordPress application
- Splitting source code because it is not compatible with licensed software
- Supports features that WordPress users haven't seen
- Adding the functionality of your main WordPress
- Reducing WordPress app size
How Plugins Work
WordPress is written in such a way that other developers can write their own code into it. The WordPress plugin API (Application Program Interface) offers a powerful set of hooks and filters, which can allow developers to modify existing WordPress functionality or add new functionality.
WordPress allows developers to store data in the WordPress database. Plugins can take advantage of WordPress taxonomy, content types, and custom fields that allow users to store various types of content, not just posts and pages.
Every WordPress plugin installed, will be registered in the WordPress database. You can activate and deactivate the plugin any time you want.
Every time you visit, WordPress will connect to the database, load the WordPress core and then load your active plugin. All code processed on the server will then be sent to the browser used by the visitor.
How to Use WordPress Plugins?
Using a WordPress plugin is very easy. You can add, install or uninstall plugins from your WordPress admin dashboard. You can also download and install manually with the software using the FTP client software.
Plugin settings will not be the same because there are plugins that when installed and activated immediately work. There are also plugins that require configuration but only require simple setup. There are also plugins with settings that you must configure with great care and detail. Therefore, you should read some guidelines for using the plugin you are going to use.
What Do Plugins Work For?
The many WordPress plugins certainly have their respective functions according to the needs of WordPress users so that the WordPress platform can be used to create various kinds of websites.
WordPress by default when you first install it only has minimal features and may only be used to create blog sites with minimal and less than optimal capabilities. However, when a plugin is added for SEO optimization, WordPress will become powerful and ready to compete in search engines.
Here's an example of using the plugin for you:
- When you want to create an online store then you need a WooCommerce plugin
- When you want WordPress to be search engine friendly then you need the Yoast SEO plugin
- When you want to add a contact feature then you need the Contact Form 7 plugin
- When you want to increase WordPress security then you need the iThemes Security plugin