How do I start using an external API and PHP for a WordPress.org page?

Question

I have created some reports for some web pages that use JavaScript HTTP Requests to retrieve some data from an API. I would like to use the reports on some WordPress pages. I have done a lot of searching and reading. I am a complete beginner at customizing a WordPress page. While I don't mind experimenting, I would rather get some guidance for how to proceed.

The options appear to be:

• Use a plugin to allow JavaScript on a WordPress page.

• Use PHP to call the API, and then use PHP to create the HTML to display the data returned returned from the API.

I think the second one would be better because learning to use PHP on a WordPress page would allow for more options in the future.

I have worked in software development. I have done some programming on my own in JavaScript and Python3. I am currently going through some courses at Lynda.com to learn PHP. I am confident that I can pick it up or find what I need online to create the code I need.

I have found this plug-in: https://wordpress.org/plugins/php-everywhere/ It appears to allow me to use PHP on a WordPress page.

I also found this: WordPress has the HTTP API. https://codex.wordpress.org/HTTP_API

There are linked pages that explain how to make a request and get a response code and data: https://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/wp_remote_retrieve_response_code https://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/wp_remote_get

I have no problem understanding this because I did the web pages using JavaScript to get API data.

I just don't understand how to start using it. Is this a plugin? I don't think so. I think it is built-in code that I can just use.

So, can I just use the GET and Response Code functions in this reference in my PHP code once I have installed that first plug-in? (Did I mention that I am a complete beginner with customizing a WordPress page?)

I have found a number of websites explaining how to install a plug-in. I have found some websites explaining how to use the WP HTTP API. But, I need an even more basic explanation as to how to start with the WP HTTP API, and how to combine all of this. I haven't found that anywhere.

My next steps appear to be:

1. Install that plug-in (php-everywhere). Write some simple PHP code to create some HTML to test it on a test page.

2. Write a simple API call using the GET and Response Code functions from the Codex pages. Once I get some data successfully returned, I can then write more PHP code to incorporate the returned data. (I can use the web pages written in JavaScript as a guide to write the PHP to display the data.)

Answer 1

@Gina, and welcome!

I'm fairly new to the craft too, but I would love to share what I wish I knew from the very beginning.

Install that plug-in (php-everywhere). Write some simple PHP code to create some HTML to test it on a test page

When it comes to that I think it's better to just dig into the themes that produce the front-end. So here's some resources for you to read.

1. Understanding the WordPress themes. Here's a link to the Theme Handbook. This will help you get around any theme, including the ones that come with every installation of WordPress;

2. making and editing a child theme. I think editing a child theme is easier than creating one from scratch because one can just go back to the parent theme and copy an original file if one made a mess in his child theme' code;

3. another thing that I think will be very helpful and will eliminate the need of using the php-everywhere plugin is the knowledge of how to make a page template. This will allow you to make a blank page that you can fill with whatever you want;

4. of Course, if you get through the entire handbook you might want to start your own theme and there's a nice tool for that one too — _s gives you a barebones theme that you can upgrade.

Write a simple API call using the GET and Response Code functions from the Codex pages. Once I get some data successfully returned, I can then write more PHP code to incorporate the returned data. (I can use the web pages written in JavaScript as a guide to write the PHP to display the data.)

Once you have a child theme with your own page template you can write in it whatever you fancy. Some functions are better suited for the function.php file, but that, I think, will come with the practice and the knowledge.

Hope I helped, good luck!