Shortcode function to list posts from specific category?

[inov8ed 0]

Does anyone have a function already to lists posts from a category inside a post or page that they have used with PlatformPro? There seem to be some plugins out there that do this, but I want to keep it simple and some of the plugins don't seem all that stable. Any thoughts would be appreciated or suggestions of plugins that you have already used. Thanks. -Adam

[bryan-hadaway 3]

All the PHP examples you need are here: http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/query_posts Then just use Exec PHP so you can paste PHP directly into pages/posts: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/exec-php/ Thanks, Bryan

[inov8ed 0]

Looks great. I really should install this plugin. The only problem is the fine print on Exec-PHP that you have to completely turn off TinyMCE to use it. Hmmm... This means that I can't use the editor for any part of the post if that is in there. Is there an easy way to take the function from the codex and make a function in the functions.php file of PlatformPro Base so I can just use my own shortcode? Thanks! -Adam

[bryan-hadaway 3]

That might be old info or refer to older versions? I personally just use it so I can place PHP inline, I've never really noticed any conflicts. I would just try it out and if any problems occur we'll deal with it when we come to that bridge. Thanks, Bryan

[inov8ed 0]

Hi Bryan, The newest version still gives me the warning about using the visual editor, but I will work around it and see what happens. -Adam

[cfisher 0]

Check out a plugin called Global Content Blocks. It allows you to create and enter shortcodes that can call virtually anything via the editor. I only recently started to use it, but it has run flawlessly so far.

[inov8ed 0]

Ok. I have been trying this with the Global Content Blocks plugin by creating a php block with: query_posts( 'cat=74' ); And then putting it on a page. The problem is this doesn't quite seem to have the effect I am looking for. Basically, I am looking to put a list of all posts from a specific category in a bullet list that can be put on a page so that I don't have to go back to the page to update the links with new posts in that category. It seems the above php query brings the entire page into the loop (creating a very strange looking page within a page). I guess a short code could be done to do this instead of trying the reusable plugin block? Any ideas? Thanks! -Adam

[bryan-hadaway 3]

I found a great plugin that might be easier altogether: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/list-category-posts/ Thanks, Bryan

[inov8ed 0]

I found this that looked interesting. Would this work better for what I am looking for?

function sc_liste($atts, $content = null) {
	        extract(shortcode_atts(array(
	                "num" => '5',
	                "cat" => ''
	        ), $atts));
	        global $post;
	        $myposts = get_posts('numberposts='.$num.'&order=DESC&orderby=post_date&category='.$cat);
	        $retour='
	

• '; foreach($myposts as $post) : setup_postdata($post); $retour.='
• '.the_title("","",false).' '; endforeach; $retour.='

'; return $retour; } add_shortcode("list", "sc_liste");[/code]

-Adam

[inov8ed 0]

Hi Bryan, That one looked interesting, but reading up on the forums on it, it looked like it was still heavily in dev and not ready for production (although there were lots of positive comments on it). I could give it a try though. -Adam

[inov8ed 0]

The shortcode above seems to work pretty well. Is there any downside to using this instead of a plugin? Does the code look good? The forum seems to have blown the display to pieces. Here it is in full. ` function sc_liste($atts, $content = null) { extract(shortcode_atts(array( "num" => '5', "cat" => '' ), $atts)); global $post; $myposts = get_posts('numberposts='.$num.' &order=DESC&orderby=post_date&category='.$cat); $retour='

• '; foreach($myposts as $post) : setup_postdata($post); $retour.='
• '.the_title("","",false).' '; endforeach; $retour.='

'; return $retour; } add_shortcode("list", "sc_liste"); ` -Adam

[Kate 3]

@Adam If both work fine, it's probably just a matter of preference

[inov8ed 0]

Hi Kate, I guess I just like having the experts here taking a look at the code. Makes me sleep at night if you think no problems will arise from it (or if you have suggestions on how to improve the efficiency of the code). Thanks. -Adam

[cmunns 16]

the shortcode looks suitable. I would go with that as it's much lighter than a plugin.

[inov8ed 0]

Thanks for the feedback on it. If I wanted to style just this shortcode, is it better to put the class inside the ul html (or put a div) in the PHP function or wrap it in a div in the post itself? Thanks. -Adam

[Andrew 207]

Looks good, throw it in your functions.php and you should be good to go.

[inov8ed 0]

How would I go about adding "options" to this shortcode? For example, if I wanted to sometimes include the featured image or the excerpt? Thanks. -Adam

[catrina 103]

For displaying the featured image, you can use this PHP:

<?php the_post_thumbnail(); ?>

(as pointed out here: http://codex.wordpress.org/Post_Thumbnails) If you'd like to display the excerpt, use this:

<?php get_the_excerpt( $deprecated ) ?>

(http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/get_the_excerpt)

[inov8ed 0]

Hi Catrina, Ok. Great. However, how do I make them options in the shortcode so I can sometimes have the thumbnail, sometimes not? Do I just put it in the array? Thanks. -Adam

[catrina 103]

Hm, perhaps. If there is a way to customize the shortcode even further...

[inov8ed 0]

Any ideas? thanks. -Adam

[Kate 3]

@Adam This may be where you got the shortcode code to begin with, but just in case, I think it could help get you on the right path: http://www.smashingmagazine.com/2009/02/02/mastering-wordpress-shortcodes/

[inov8ed 0]

Yes, I got it there. Adding the potential to include the thumbnail and excerpt would be great if you have any ideas. Thanks. -Adam

[bryan-hadaway 3]

I'm going to throw this back in because it really is a good solution and super easy: http://wordpress.org/extend/plugins/list-category-posts/ Simply add [catlist] and there are a ton of ways to break it down: http://foro.picandocodigo.net/discussion/251/list-category-posts-documentation/ including author, comments, excerpts etc. etc. Thanks, Bryan