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PHP How to Build a WordPress Theme WordPress Theme Functions The WordPress Loop

Brittany Cerra
Brittany Cerra
7,424 Points
Posted by Brittany Cerra
Brittany Cerra
7,424 Points

General PHP question about the elements in this loop.

Hi!

I'm forgetting something basic, and I'm having trouble tracking down the specific answer.

In this beginning section of a loop:

<?php if ( have_posts() ) : while ( have_posts() ) : the_post(); ?>

Why are the empty parentheses necessary? Is this where an argument would go?

Thanks :)

1 Answer

Daniel Barreto
PLUS
Daniel Barreto
Courses Plus Student 14,978 Points
Daniel Barreto
Daniel Barreto
Courses Plus Student 14,978 Points

If i remember correctly, In PHP, and most programming languages, functions require those parentheses as part of the syntax. Some functions take arguments, and others don't but those parentheses are what distinguish them as functions.

Brittany Cerra
Brittany Cerra
7,424 Points
Brittany Cerra
Brittany Cerra
7,424 Points

Got it! Thanks, Daniel!