Using the get_plugin_page_hookname function in WordPress

The get_plugin_page_hookname function in WordPress is a part of the Plugin API. This function is used to generate the hook name for a plugin admin page. It is a way to create a unique identifier for a specific plugin page, which can then be used to hook into the correct page for adding scripts, styles, or other functionalities.

By using this function, developers can ensure that their code is only loaded on the specific plugin page where it is needed, rather than on all admin pages. This can help to improve performance and avoid potential conflicts with other plugins or themes.

The get_plugin_page_hookname function works by taking the plugin page’s slug and parent page as inputs and returning a string that represents the hook name. This string can then be used with other WordPress functions to add or remove actions or filters on the specific plugin page.

It’s important to note that the get_plugin_page_hookname function should be used after the admin menu has been built, typically on or after the admin_menu action hook. If it is used too early, it may not return the correct hook name.

The get_plugin_page_hookname function provides a way for developers to target specific plugin admin pages for adding or removing functionality, which can be a key part of developing a WordPress plugin.

Parameters Accepted by get_plugin_page_hookname Function

The get_plugin_page_hookname function in WordPress accepts two parameters. These parameters are:

• $plugin_page (string) – This is a required parameter. It represents the slug name of the plugin page.
• $parent_page (string) – This is also a required parameter. It signifies the slug name for the parent menu or the file name of a standard WordPress admin page.

Return Value of get_plugin_page_hookname Function

The get_plugin_page_hookname function returns a string value. This string value is the hook name for the plugin page.

Examples

How to Get the Hook Name of a Plugin Page

The get_plugin_page_hookname function is commonly used to get the hook name of a plugin page in WordPress. Here is a simple example:

$plugin_page = 'my-plugin-page';
$parent_page = 'my-parent-page';

$hookname = get_plugin_page_hookname($plugin_page, $parent_page);

if ($hookname) {
 echo "The hook name is: " . $hookname;
} else {
 echo "No hook name found.";
}

This code snippet first sets the variables $plugin_page and $parent_page to the slugs of the plugin page and its parent page, respectively. Then, it calls the get_plugin_page_hookname function with these two variables as arguments to get the hook name of the plugin page. If a hook name is found, it is printed out. If not, a message is printed saying that no hook name was found.

How to Use get_plugin_page_hookname in a WordPress Action

The get_plugin_page_hookname function can also be used within a WordPress action. Here is an example:

add_action('admin_menu', 'my_plugin_menu');

function my_plugin_menu() {
 $plugin_page = add_options_page('My Plugin Options', 'My Plugin', 'manage_options', 'my-plugin', 'my_plugin_options');
 $hookname = get_plugin_page_hookname($plugin_page, '');

 add_action($hookname, 'my_plugin_load');
}

function my_plugin_load() {
 // Code to execute when the plugin page is loaded
}

This code snippet first adds an action to the admin_menu hook, which calls the my_plugin_menu function. This function adds an options page for the plugin to the WordPress admin menu using the add_options_page function, and then gets the hook name of this page using the get_plugin_page_hookname function. Finally, it adds an action to this hook, which calls the my_plugin_load function when the plugin page is loaded.

How to Check if a Plugin Page Hook Exists

You can use the get_plugin_page_hookname function to check if a hook for a specific plugin page exists. Here is an example:

$plugin_page = 'my-plugin-page';
$parent_page = 'my-parent-page';

$hookname = get_plugin_page_hookname($plugin_page, $parent_page);

if ($hookname && has_action($hookname)) {
 echo "The hook exists.";
} else {
 echo "The hook does not exist.";
}

This code snippet first gets the hook name of the plugin page as in the first example. Then, it checks if this hook exists and has actions attached to it using the has_action function. If it does, a message is printed saying that the hook exists. If not, a message is printed saying that the hook does not exist.

Conclusion

The get_plugin_page_hookname function in WordPress is a specific tool designed to generate the correct hook name for a plugin admin page. This function is primarily used when you need to add extra functionality to your plugin’s admin page, such as adding scripts or styles, or performing certain actions when the page is loaded. By using this function, developers can ensure that their additional code is only executed on the correct page, preventing unnecessary code execution on other admin pages and thus optimizing the performance of their plugin.