Alternative methods to use a function without editing functions.php in WordPress

Loading data from Talking to Chatbots Dataset reddgr/talking-to-chatbots-chats …

😎 I added a function the functions.php of my theme, but I no longer can edit functions.php, which must remain intact. What is an alternative way to use the function. For your information, It’s the function below, to enable a shortcode (WHAT IT DOES IS IRRELEVANT TO YOU, YOU NEED TO SAY WHERE TO PKLACE THE CODE NOW AND HOW):

// Shortcode to display child pages
function display_all_child_pages($atts) {
// Extract the parent page ID attribute, if provided
$atts = shortcode_atts(
array(
‘parent’ => 0 // Default to 0 if no parent ID is provided
),
$atts,
‘list_child_pages’
);

$parent_id = intval($atts[‘parent’]);

// Query all child pages for the specified parent
$child_pages = new WP_Query(array(
‘post_type’ => ‘page’,
‘posts_per_page’ => -1, // Ensures all results are retrieved
‘post_parent’ => $parent_id,
‘orderby’ => ‘title’,
‘order’ => ‘ASC’
));

// Start the output buffer to capture the output
ob_start();

// Check if there are child pages
if ($child_pages->have_posts()) {
echo ‘

‘ . get_the_title() . ‘

‘;
} else {
echo ‘No child pages found.’;
}

// Reset post data
wp_reset_postdata();

// Get the output and return it
return ob_get_clean();
}

// Register the shortcode
add_shortcode(‘list_child_pages’, ‘display_all_child_pages’);

// grok page:
//

🤖 If you no longer have the ability to edit the `functions.php` file of your theme, but you still want to use the function to register and enable the shortcode, there are alternative ways to include this code in WordPress. Here are the options:

—

### 1. Use a Custom Plugin (Recommended)
The cleanest and most future-proof solution is to place this function in a custom plugin. Plugins are ideal for adding functionality that is not tied to a specific theme.

Here’s how to create a custom plugin:

#### Steps:
1. Create a Plugin File:
– Access your WordPress installation via FTP, cPanel File Manager, or your hosting’s file manager.
– Navigate to the `wp-content/plugins/` directory.
– Create a new folder, e.g., `custom-shortcodes`.
– Inside that folder, create a new PHP file, e.g., `custom-shortcodes.php`.

2. Add the Code:
Open the new `custom-shortcodes.php` file and paste the following code:
php
    0 // Default to 0 if no parent ID is provided
           ),
           $atts,
           'list_child_pages'
       );
       
       $parent_id = intval($atts['parent']);
       
       // Query all child pages for the specified parent
       $child_pages = new WP_Query(array(
           'post_type'      => 'page',
           'posts_per_page' => -1, // Ensures all results are retrieved
           'post_parent'    => $parent_id,
           'orderby'        => 'title',
           'order'          => 'ASC'
       ));

       // Start the output buffer to capture the output
       ob_start();

       // Check if there are child pages
       if ($child_pages->have_posts()) {
           echo '';
           while ($child_pages->have_posts()) {
               $child_pages->the_post();
               echo '' . get_the_title() . '';
           }
           echo '';
       } else {
           echo 'No child pages found.';
       }

       // Reset post data
       wp_reset_postdata();

       // Get the output and return it
       return ob_get_clean();
   }

   // Register the shortcode
   add_shortcode('list_child_pages', 'display_all_child_pages');
   
3. Activate the Plugin:
– Go to your WordPress Dashboard.
– Navigate to Plugins > Installed Plugins.
– Find your new plugin, Custom Shortcodes for Child Pages, and activate it.

—

### 2. Use the Code Snippets Plugin (No FTP Access Required)

If you can’t access your theme files or create a plugin via FTP, you can use the Code Snippets plugin to add this functionality.

#### Steps:
1. Install the Code Snippets Plugin:
– Go to Plugins > Add New in your WordPress Dashboard.
– Search for “Code Snippets” and install it.
– Activate the plugin.

2. Add a New Snippet:
– Go to Snippets > Add New in the WordPress Dashboard.
– Give the snippet a title, e.g., “Child Pages Shortcode”.
– Paste your code (the same function code you provided) into the editor.

3. Run the Snippet Everywhere:
– Set the snippet to “Run snippet everywhere” so it works across your site.
– Save and activate the snippet.

—

### 3. Child Theme (If Possible)
If you have access to create or edit a child theme, you can add this function to the `functions.php` file of the child theme.

#### Steps:
1. Create a Child Theme (if it doesn’t already exist):
– Create a folder in `wp-content/themes/`, e.g., `yourtheme-child`.
– Add a `style.css` and `functions.php` file.

2. Paste the Code in the Child Theme’s `functions.php`:
– Add the code snippet you shared above into the child theme’s `functions.php`.

3. Activate the Child Theme:
– Go to Appearance > Themes in the WordPress Dashboard.
– Activate the child theme.

—

### 4. MU-Plugins Directory (Must-Use Plugins)
If you want the function to always run on your WordPress site, regardless of theme changes, you can add it as a must-use plugin.

#### Steps:
1. Locate or Create the MU-Plugins Directory:
– Go to `wp-content/`.
– Check if there’s a folder called `mu-plugins`. If not, create it.

2. Create a PHP File:
– Inside `mu-plugins`, create a file, e.g., `custom-child-pages-shortcode.php`.

3. Add the Code:
– Paste your function code into this file, starting with the opening `
php
   
4. Verify: - Since MU-Plugins automatically run, no activation step is needed. - Your shortcode should now work. --- ### Final Recommendation: If you cannot edit `functions.php` directly, the custom plugin method (Option 1) or Code Snippets plugin (Option 2) are the best approaches. Both methods keep the function independent of the theme, making your site more flexible and update-safe.

`Hugging Face Dataset Metrics`

All the conversation prompts, responses, and metrics are available to download and explore on Hugging Face dataset reddgr/talking-to-chatbots-chats: