Using get_post_type_object to retrieve post type details in WordPress

The WordPress get_post_type_object function retrieves the object for a specific post type. This object contains various information about the post type, such as labels, capabilities, and other settings.

This function can be useful for developers who need to access and manipulate the properties of a specific post type, such as customizing the labels or capabilities associated with it. It allows for dynamic and programmatic access to post type information, which can be helpful for creating custom functionality or modifying existing post types.

Parameters accepted by the WordPress get_post_type_object function

The get_post_type_object function accepts the following parameters:

  • $post_type (string, required): This is the name of a registered post type.

Value returned by the get_post_type_object function

The get_post_type_object function returns the following:

WP_Post_Type|null: It returns a WP_Post_Type object if it exists, otherwise it returns null.

Examples

How to get the post type object by post ID

$post_id = 123;
$post_type_object = get_post_type_object( get_post_type( $post_id ) );

This code snippet retrieves the post type object for a specific post by its ID. It first gets the post type of the given post ID using the get_post_type() function, and then uses the retrieved post type to get the post type object using the get_post_type_object() function.

How to check if a post type is hierarchical

$post_type = 'page';
$post_type_object = get_post_type_object( $post_type );
if ( $post_type_object && $post_type_object->hierarchical ) {
 // Post type is hierarchical
} else {
 // Post type is not hierarchical
}

This code snippet checks if a specific post type is hierarchical. It first retrieves the post type object using the get_post_type_object() function, and then uses an if statement to check if the hierarchical property of the post type object is true or false.

How to display the labels of a post type

$post_type = 'post';
$post_type_object = get_post_type_object( $post_type );
if ( $post_type_object ) {
 echo '<p>' . $post_type_object->labels->name . '</p>';
 echo '<p>' . $post_type_object->labels->singular_name . '</p>';
 // Display other labels as needed
}

This code snippet retrieves the post type object for a specific post type and then displays some of its labels using echo statements. The labels are accessed through the labels property of the post type object.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the get_post_type_object function is a valuable tool for developers working with WordPress. It provides a simple way to retrieve information about a specific post type, such as its labels, capabilities, and rewrite rules. By utilizing this function, developers can streamline their code and improve the efficiency of their WordPress projects. Whether you are creating custom post types or working with existing ones, the get_post_type_object function is a powerful resource to have in your toolkit.

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