Getting the comment count text with get_comments_number_text in WordPress
The get_comments_number_text function in WordPress is a feature that retrieves the text string for the number of comments a post has. It displays the comment count in a formatted string, providing a text-based representation of the number of comments associated with a particular post.
The function is part of the WordPress comment system, which allows the interaction between the website visitors and the website content. The get_comments_number_text function returns a string that indicates the comment count for a specific post, which can be used to inform readers about the level of discussion or engagement a post has generated.
It is important to note that the get_comments_number_text function does not just return a numerical value, but a text string. This means that the output can include additional text along with the actual number of comments. For instance, the function might return a string like “One Comment” or “3 Comments”.
While the function can be used in any part of a WordPress theme, it is commonly used within The Loop, which is the main process in WordPress that retrieves posts and formats them for display on a page.
Parameters Accepted by the get_comments_number_text Function
The get_comments_number_text function in WordPress accepts four parameters. These are outlined below:
$zero(string): This is an optional parameter. Its default value is false. It is used to specify the text that will be displayed when there are no comments on a post.$one(string): Also optional, with a default value of false. It is used to define the text that will be shown when there is one comment on a post.$more(string): This optional parameter, also defaulting to false, is used to set the text that will be displayed when a post has more than one comment.$post(intWP_Post): This optional parameter can be a post ID or a WP_Post object. If not specified, the global$postwill be used.
Return Value of the get_comments_number_text Function
The get_comments_number_text function will return a string. This string is a language-specific text that corresponds to the number of comments a post has. It is based on the parameters provided when the function is called.
If the get_comments_number_text function is called without any parameters, it will still work as expected, using the default values for each parameter.
Examples
How to Display the Number of Comments on a Post
echo get_comments_number_text('No Comments Yet', '1 Comment', '% Comments');
This code snippet will display the number of comments on a post. If there are no comments, it will display “No Comments Yet”. If there is one comment, it will display “1 Comment”. If there are more than one comments, it will display the number of comments followed by “Comments”.
How to Display the Number of Comments on a Specific Post
$post_id = 123; // Replace with your post ID
echo get_comments_number_text('No Comments Yet', '1 Comment', '% Comments', $post_id);
This code snippet is similar to the first one, but it is used to display the number of comments on a specific post. You need to replace “123” with the ID of the post you want to display the number of comments for.
How to Display the Number of Comments with Custom Texts
echo get_comments_number_text('Be the first to comment', 'One person has commented', '% people have commented');
This code snippet will display the number of comments on a post with custom texts. If there are no comments, it will display “Be the first to comment”. If there is one comment, it will display “One person has commented”. If there are more than one comments, it will display the number of comments followed by “people have commented”.
Conclusion
The get_comments_number_text function in WordPress is a built-in tool that retrieves the text string for the number of comments a post has. It is primarily used to display the number of comments on a post in a more user-friendly and readable format. This function aids in enhancing the interaction between the website and its users by providing an easy-to-understand count of the comments that a particular post has received. This function can be utilized in various parts of a WordPress theme where the comment count needs to be displayed.