Module Overview
This module introduces you to WordPress, the world's most popular content management system. You'll learn how to install, configure, and use WordPress to build websites. By the end of this module, you'll understand WordPress architecture, how to customize sites using themes and plugins, and be ready to start developing custom WordPress solutions.
Duration: 2 weeks (10 sessions of 3 hours each)
Prerequisites: Modules 1-3: Web Fundamentals, PHP, and MySQL
Week 1: WordPress Installation and Configuration
Session 1: Introduction to WordPress
- History and evolution of WordPress
- WordPress.org vs WordPress.com
- WordPress core features and capabilities
- The WordPress ecosystem (themes, plugins, community)
- WordPress use cases and examples
- Setting up local development environments for WordPress
- Local by Flywheel
- XAMPP/MAMP with manual WordPress installation
- Docker-based WordPress development (introduction)
- Homework: Install WordPress locally and explore the admin interface
Session 2: WordPress Core Architecture
Session 3: WordPress Admin Dashboard
Session 4: Working with WordPress Themes
Session 5: Docker for WordPress Development
- Docker fundamentals review
- Containers vs virtual machines
- Docker architecture
- Docker Hub and WordPress images
- Setting up WordPress with Docker
- Using docker-compose.yml for WordPress
- Configuring WordPress, MySQL, and phpMyAdmin containers
- Managing persistent volumes for data
- Docker-based development workflow
- Working with theme and plugin files
- Managing environment variables
- Multi-site development environments
- Docker commands for WordPress developers
- Debugging WordPress in Docker
- Homework: Migrate your WordPress installation to Docker
Session 6: Working with WordPress Plugins
- Understanding WordPress plugins
- Essential plugins overview
- Installing and activating plugins
- Plugin settings and configuration
- Evaluating plugin quality and security
- Plugin compatibility issues
- Must-have plugins for different website types
- Homework: Install and configure essential plugins for your site
Week 2: WordPress Content, Site Building, and Docker Integration
Session 7: Content Creation in WordPress
- WordPress editor overview (Classic vs. Gutenberg)
- Working with blocks in Gutenberg
- Advanced Block Techniques
- Reusable Blocks and Block Patterns
- Content Formatting and Typography
- Media and Rich Content Integration
- Content Writing Best Practices
- Homework: Create rich content using Gutenberg blocks
Session 8: Menus, Widgets, and Site Structure
- Creating and configuring WordPress menus
- Working with widget areas
- Adding and configuring widgets
- Creating custom menus for different devices
- Site structure best practices
- Internal linking strategies
- Homework: Create a complete site navigation system with menus and widgets
Session 9: WordPress Forms and User Interactions
- Contact forms with popular plugins (Contact Form 7, WPForms, Gravity Forms)
- Form validation and spam protection
- Creating custom forms for different purposes
- User registration and profiles
- Comments and community features
- Implementing social sharing
- Homework: Create and configure various forms for user interaction
Session 10: WordPress Security, Performance, and Mini-Project
- WordPress security best practices
- Security plugins (Wordfence, Sucuri, etc.)
- Updates management
- Backup strategies
- Performance optimization techniques
- Caching solutions
- Docker security considerations
- Mini-Project: Build a complete WordPress website in a Docker environment
- Planning a complete WordPress website
- Implementing a consistent design with themes and customization
- Adding functionality with plugins
- Creating and organizing content
- Setting up navigation and user interactions
- Implementing security and performance best practices
- Containerizing the website with Docker
Learning Resources
Required Materials
- Local WordPress development environment (Local by Flywheel recommended)
- Docker Desktop
- GitHub account
- Text editor (VS Code recommended)
Recommended Reading
- WordPress: The Missing Manual by Matthew MacDonald
- Professional WordPress by Hal Stern, David Damstra, and Brad Williams
- Docker for Developers by Richard Bullington-McGuire
- Online resources: WordPress Codex, WordPress Developer Resources, Docker Documentation