What is the difference with get_sidebar and dynamic_sidebar?

Question

What is the difference with get_sidebar() and dynamic_sidebar()?

I was wondering which one I should use. Maybe one use widgets and the other one doesn't?

Have you read the get_sidebar() and dynamic_sidebar() Codex entries? — Chip Bennett, Commented Jan 17, 2013 at 17:03
This question is useful as the difference is not clear at all after reading the WP documentation twice… — feeela, Commented Sep 18, 2014 at 12:52
Having just read through some docs and a tutorial, I still had to view an example and do some detective work. Nothing ambiguous about the question at all. Please see my answer in a more specific and cluttered but essentially the same question: wordpress.stackexchange.com/questions/500/… — Gerard ONeill, Commented Sep 10, 2015 at 18:32

cmbuckley · Accepted Answer · 2023-01-19 08:05:55Z

21

The get_sidebar( $slug ) template tag includes the sidebar-$slug.php template-part file.

The dynamic_sidebar( $slug ) template tag outputs the $slug dynamic sidebar, as defined by register_sidebar( array( 'id' => $slug ) ).

cmbuckley

1034 bronze badges

answered Jan 17, 2013 at 17:06

Chip Bennett

55.1k8 gold badges90 silver badges170 bronze badges

13

so....what's the difference?
– user25893
Commented Jan 17, 2013 at 20:46
3

get_sidebar always looks for a template file. dynamic_sidebar only looks for the associated register_sidebar details and widgets configured in wp-admin
– here
Commented Sep 9, 2015 at 0:27
10

get_sidebar(templatename) is for loading a sidebar-template of the name 'sidebar-templatename.php', which would have dynamic_sidebar(sidebarname) in it. If you don't need the template, you can place dynamic_sidebar directly in your theme or other area. Beware, get_sidebar contains hooks that won't get called if it isn't used.
– Gerard ONeill
Commented Sep 10, 2015 at 18:37

Add a comment |

1 Answer 1