What is Child theme in WordPress?

WordPress Child Themes

If you would like to modify the functionality and style of an existing theme, you should want to go for WordPress child theme. When you create a child theme, the parent theme will not be disturbed. In some cases, the development can be speeded up by using child themes. You should learn about child theme development so that you can make the most of WordPress theme without any issues.

Creation of Child Theme

In order to create a child theme, you should want to create at least one directory and two files are required to perform the operation. Thus, you will want to have child theme directory, style.css and functions.php.

The child theme directory will be placed in wp-content/themes. The child theme should be appended with –child. There should not be any spaces in the child theme directory name. If you have clear understanding about child theme, it can be included at most appropriate place. By including one new line in style.css header, a robust child theme can be created.

Benefits of Child Themes

The functionality from another theme is inherited by a child theme. If you would like to tweak an existing theme, you should want to go for child theme. In this process, no changes are made to the parent theme. You can accomplish the styling of the parent theme. Modification or addition can be done to the parent theme. At the same time, you will not lose its ability to update as per the latest release. The customization of the WordPress can be done very quickly by implementing child themes as per your needs.

Child themes are used by designers as well as developers. By using a good patent theme, new WordPress website can be created very quickly. Parent themes are also called as theme frameworks. There will be lots of functionality as well as customization scope with theme frameworks. The coding can be minimized. A child theme can have template files which are not available in the parent theme.

The creation of new child theme should be done as per your needs. A child theme can be created from an existing Genesis theme framework. If the project is too complex, you can go for custom WordPress theme. If there is requirement to add new functions on a continuous basis, you should want to go for child themes.

The creation of child theme should also be done as per the flexibility. If you are able to use a custom CSS plugin, you can avoid the creation of a child plugin. The ability to get things done by tweaking the code will decide your selection process. If you are modifying the styles of few elements, you can go for custom CSS plugin.

If there is lot of activity in CSS and would like to change the color scheme, you should want to go for a child theme. It is also important to pick the right kind of parent theme so that your needs will be fulfilled in a very efficient way.

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