How to display the category of a post in WordPress using the_category

The the_category function in WordPress is used to display the categories of a post. It can be useful in organizing and presenting content to readers, allowing them to easily navigate through related topics. By using this function, website owners can provide a clear and structured way for users to explore content based on specific categories.

Parameters Accepted by the the_category Function

The the_category function accepts the following parameters:

  • $separator (string, optional. Default value: ”): Separator between the categories. By default, the links are placed in an unordered list. An empty string will result in the default behavior.
  • $parents (string, optional. Default value: ”): How to display the parents. Accepts ‘multiple’, ‘single’, or empty.
  • $post_id (int, optional. Default value: false): ID of the post to retrieve categories for. Defaults to the current post.

Value Returned by the the_category Function

The the_category function does not return a value.

Examples

How to display the categories of a post

<?php
 the_category(', ');
?>

This code snippet uses the the_category function to display the categories of a post, separated by commas.

How to display the categories of a post with a custom separator

<?php
 the_category(' | ');
?>

This code snippet uses the the_category function to display the categories of a post, separated by a custom separator (in this case, a pipe symbol).

How to display the categories of a post as a list

<?php
 $categories = get_the_category();
 foreach ($categories as $category) {
 echo '<li>' . $category->name . '</li>';
 }
?>

This code snippet first retrieves the categories of a post using the get_the_category function, then loops through each category and displays them as a list using an HTML <li> tag.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the the_category function is a powerful tool for displaying the category or categories of a post within WordPress. By using this function, developers can easily customize the display of categories and improve the user experience on their websites. With its simple syntax and flexibility, the_category function is a valuable addition to any WordPress developer’s toolkit.

Related WordPress Functions

in WordPress Functions