How to display a calendar in WordPress using get_calendar
The get_calendar function in WordPress is designed to retrieve the calendar of the current month in the site’s locale. The calendar can be displayed in a post, page, or widget, providing a visual representation of the dates for the current month. The function generates an HTML table that includes links to the posts published on each day. If there are no posts for a particular date, the date is displayed without a link.
This function can serve various purposes in a WordPress site. It can help site visitors to navigate through the posts based on the date of publication. It also provides an overall view of the posting frequency within the month. Additionally, it can be used to highlight specific dates, for example, in an event calendar or a booking system.
Parameters Accepted by the get_calendar Function
The get_calendar function in WordPress accepts two parameters, both of which are optional:
$initial: This is a boolean parameter, with a default value of true. This parameter determines whether the initial calendar names should be used.$display: This is also a boolean parameter, with a default value of true. This parameter indicates whether the calendar output should be displayed.
Return Value of the get_calendar Function
The get_calendar function returns either void or a string. If the $display argument is set to true, the function will return void. If $display is set to false, the function will return the HTML of the calendar.
If the function does not receive any parameters, it will still execute with the default values of the parameters.
Examples
How to Display the Default WordPress Calendar
The most common usage of the get_calendar() function is to display the default WordPress calendar. Here is a simple code snippet:
<?php
get_calendar();
?>
This code snippet will display the default WordPress calendar. It uses the get_calendar() function with no parameters, which means it uses the default values for both parameters ($initial and $display).
How to Get the Calendar HTML Without Displaying It
If you want to get the calendar HTML without displaying it, you can use the get_calendar() function with the $display parameter set to false. Here is a code snippet:
<?php
$calendar_html = get_calendar(true, false);
?>
This code snippet will return the calendar HTML and store it in the $calendar_html variable. It does not display the calendar because the $display parameter is set to false.
How to Use Initial Calendar Names
If you want to use initial calendar names, you can use the get_calendar() function with the $initial parameter set to true. Here is a code snippet:
<?php
get_calendar(true);
?>
This code snippet will display the WordPress calendar with initial calendar names. It uses the get_calendar() function with the $initial parameter set to true.
Conclusion
The get_calendar function in WordPress is an effective feature that allows developers to retrieve and display the calendar on their site. It is primarily used to provide a visual representation of posts by dates, thereby enabling users to navigate through the site’s content in a chronological manner. This function is especially beneficial when dealing with blogs or news sites where content is time-sensitive and date of publication holds significance. It’s important to note that the get_calendar function only retrieves the calendar and does not modify it in any way.