Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Necessary tools to create a featured theme..?

Jan 29, 2013 2:25PM PST

Actually I want to create a theme but I am confused with the requirements of theme development tools.Can any one help me for this...?

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Clarification Request
Re: Necessary tools to create a featured theme
Jan 29, 2013 2:28PM PST

A theme for what?

~Sovereign

- Collapse -
Theme for wordpress...
Jan 29, 2013 2:34PM PST

I am a beginner for theme theme designing...So I want some help.

- Collapse -
Answer
Re: Necessary tools to create a featured theme
Jan 30, 2013 3:31AM PST

You have several options when it comes to developing themes for WordPress.

1. You copy and tweak the official WordPress theme

This is the easiest way to get started, because (1) the latest WordPress theme usually utilizes the latest technologies when rendering content e.g. responsive theme and (2) you can clearly see what functions WordPress utilizes when pulling content from the database and know it's the right way to use those functions.

Lastly, the WordPress theme is also very well documented, meaning as you look at how the theme is composed, things are explained and references included, so you can go and learn even more about a certain component.

2. You use a WordPress theme framework

Theme frameworks basically provide tools on top of WordPress to make the creation a bit simpler. The benefit is that you often don't have to reinvent the wheel, and themes you build in this framework come with common functionality out of the box.

The down side is that you are relying on a third-party framework, whereas if you build a custom WordPress theme, all you need to worry about is the core WordPress installation.

3. You build a WordPress theme from scratch

This is actually the least intimidating, because you start with nothing and learn why and how to use components as you need them. The benefit is that there isn't any code that you don't know about or have no clue as to what it does.

This is the way I started learning how to build themes.

Now, in terms of what programs to use, that's entirely up to you. You can build a theme in a program like Notepad++, Sublime Text or Coda. That's entirely up to you.

~Sovereign