Checking for Errors in WordPress with is_wp_error function

The is_wp_error function in WordPress checks if a variable is a WordPress Error. It can be useful for determining if a certain variable contains an error object, which can then be used to handle and display error messages to the user.

Parameters accepted by the is_wp_error function

  • $thing (mixed) – required. Description: The variable to check.

Value returned by the is_wp_error function

The function returns a bool indicating whether the variable is an instance of WP_Error.

Examples

How to check if a variable is a WP_Error object

if ( is_wp_error( $variable ) ) {
 // Handle the WP_Error object
 $error_message = $variable->get_error_message();
 echo "Error: " . $error_message;
} else {
 // Proceed with the variable
 echo "Success!";
}

This code snippet checks if the $variable is a WP_Error object using the is_wp_error function. If it is a WP_Error object, it retrieves the error message using get_error_message method and displays it. Otherwise, it proceeds with the variable and displays “Success!”

How to handle a WP_Error object returned by a function

$result = some_function();
if ( is_wp_error( $result ) ) {
 $error_message = $result->get_error_message();
 echo "Error: " . $error_message;
} else {
 // Proceed with the result
 echo "Success!";
}

This code snippet calls some_function and checks if the returned value is a WP_Error object using is_wp_error function. If it is a WP_Error object, it retrieves the error message and displays it. Otherwise, it proceeds with the result and displays “Success!”

How to handle a WP_Error object within a loop

$items = get_some_items();
foreach ( $items as $item ) {
 if ( is_wp_error( $item ) ) {
 $error_message = $item->get_error_message();
 echo "Error: " . $error_message;
 } else {
 // Process the item
 echo "Item processed successfully!";
 }
}

This code snippet retrieves some items using get_some_items and loops through each item. It checks if each item is a WP_Error object using is_wp_error function. If it is a WP_Error object, it retrieves the error message and displays it. Otherwise, it processes the item and displays “Item processed successfully!”

Conclusion

In conclusion, the is_wp_error function is a crucial tool for developers working with WordPress. It provides a simple and efficient way to check if a variable is a WP_Error object, allowing for better error handling and debugging. By incorporating this function into their code, developers can ensure that their WordPress projects are more robust and reliable. Overall, the is_wp_error function is a valuable asset for anyone working within the WordPress ecosystem.

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