Using doing_action to check if an action is currently running in WordPress

The doing_action function in WordPress is a part of the WordPress Core API. This function checks if a specific action is currently being executed. It is a way for developers to determine the ongoing action in a WordPress execution flow.

The function can be useful in various scenarios. For instance, it can be used to ensure that certain code is only executed during a specific action. This can be helpful in controlling the flow of execution and avoiding unnecessary code execution.

The doing_action function returns a Boolean value. It returns true if the specified action is currently being executed, and false if it is not.

It’s important to note that the doing_action function only checks for actions that are being executed at the moment of the function call. It does not keep a history of executed actions, nor does it predict future actions.

Parameters Accepted by the doing_action Function

The doing_action function in WordPress accepts a single parameter, which is:

  • $hook_name (string|null, optional): This parameter is an action hook that the function checks. If not specified, the function will default to null, which means it will check if any action is currently being executed.

Return Value of the doing_action Function

The doing_action function returns a boolean value. This value indicates whether the specified action is currently in the execution stack or not.

If the function does not accept any parameters, it will simply check if any action is currently being executed.

Examples

Example 1: How to Check if a Specific Action is Currently Running

In this example, we are using the doing_action() function to check if a specific action, ‘init’, is currently running.

if (doing_action('init')) {
 echo 'The init action is running';
} else {
 echo 'The init action is not running';
}

Example 2: How to Check if Any Action is Currently Running

In this example, we are using the doing_action() function without passing any parameter to check if any action is currently running.

if (doing_action()) {
 echo 'An action is currently running';
} else {
 echo 'No action is currently running';
}

Example 3: How to Check if a Specific Action is Not Currently Running

In this example, we are using the doing_action() function to check if a specific action, ‘wp_head’, is not currently running.

if (!doing_action('wp_head')) {
 echo 'The wp_head action is not running';
} else {
 echo 'The wp_head action is running';
}

Conclusion

The WordPress doing_action function is a tool that checks if a specific action is currently being processed. This function can be instrumental in scenarios where you need to ensure that a certain action is in progress before executing a piece of code. It can help enhance the reliability and predictability of your codes by preventing potential issues related to the timing or sequence of actions. Remember, the doing_action function only returns true if the action is currently running, and false if it is not, or if the action has already completed.

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