Though WordPress has a solution for every problem in the form of WordPress plugins, there are various WordPress developers and webmasters who prefer writing their own codes to extend or change the functionality of their WordPress websites. The reasons can be many. To start off, it drastically improves your page load time when you decide on reducing plugin usage. Moreover, you can customize the functionality of the feature as per your needs and requirements by writing a customized code. Whatever the reason may be, code snippets have many benefits associated with it.
However, oftentimes a webmaster forgets about the code snippet he/she added in the website after a while. So, whenever the same task pops up, they invest the same amount of time and efforts in writing the same code they did the first time. Therefore, it is quite important to maintain code snippets to cut down on the extra amount of effort and time.
Managing a library of code snippets can prove to be extremely beneficial when doing similar chores in the future. Though there is a range of sites where you can host the code, it is always a bright idea to keep them in an easily accessible place.
How to manage code snippets?
Well, where WordPress has a plugin for everything, managing code snippets is no exception. There is a great plugin called Code Snippets CPT developed by Justin Sternberg which enables you to manage and show code snippets in an effective manner in your WordPress website. You can hire a custom WordPress plugin developer for customization of plugins according to the website requirement.
The plugin adds a custom post type for maintaining your code snippets and taxonomies for categorizing the snippets.
Primary Features of Code Snippets CPT:
Handy Shortcode insert button and syntax highlighting:
Code Snippet CPT has a handy shortcode insert button to embed snippets with syntax highlighting to pages or posts that enable you to select from the most recent code. The feature of syntax highlighting is offered by Prettify Javascript Library.
Custom Taxonomies:
The plugin is equipped with custom taxonomies to feature to classify your code snippets. It allows you to add snippet tags as well as snippet categories which let you display and organize your library of snippets in some unique ways.
Adding a code snippet to post or page through Code Snippets CPT:
Once you install and activate this plugin, you will notice a new button added to your text or visual editor with “</>”. When you click on this button, a small window will pop up called “shortcode finder” with an option for you to select the already added snippets to insert into the select page or post. You can also choose whether or not you need to show line numbers for the code that you are inserting.
The plugin also enables you to build a searchable code snippets archive on your own website, without the need of hosting the snippets with any third party site.
Having code snippets in the form of custom post types gives you the flexibility and freedom to add snippets whenever wherever you want and keep a library of code snippets centralized.