What is a Framework? #

In summary, a framework represents a sturdy WordPress theme that can be employed immediately or effortlessly expanded with child themes and hooks. These frameworks offer numerous improvements compared to standard WordPress themes and also act as a foundation for incorporating extra features. This article will specifically concentrate on the Genesis Framework and its organization.

What is a Child Theme? #

A child theme is an extension of a framework that consists of standard theme components – in the case of Genesis, this encompasses a screenshot, theme files, a stylesheet, a functions file, and an images folder. These components are assembled in a child theme folder and can be activated like any other WordPress theme. To clarify the connection between a child theme and its parent Genesis Framework, we will delve into the specifics of each.

A Screenshot #

Every WordPress theme features a screenshot image, usually named “screenshot.png,” with dimensions of 1200 x 900. This image visually represents the theme and can be viewed on the Appearance > Themes page within your WordPress dashboard. As child themes possess their own folders and are activated like any other theme, they necessitate a screenshot similar to a conventional theme.

Theme Files #

The Genesis Framework, essentially serving as the parent theme, contains all the theme files. These include common theme files such as 404.php, comments.php, footer.php, header.php, index.php, page.php, single.php, and others. Child themes can also contain these files, with the hierarchy designed so that any files present in the child theme folder will override those in the parent theme. For instance, if you modify a footer.php file and place it in your child theme folder, it will replace the one in the Genesis parent theme. Presently, some Genesis child themes may include a custom home.php file, which determines the appearance of a site’s homepage. If a child theme lacks this file, the theme will use the index.php file from the Genesis parent theme for the homepage.

A Stylesheet #

Numerous frameworks are designed to import the parent theme stylesheet and enable customizations through the child theme stylesheet. Although this method is functional, we have opted to streamline the process by providing the child theme with its own stylesheet. In other words, when using a child theme, the style.css file within the child theme folder has full control over the child theme’s appearance. There is no need to compare multiple stylesheets to locate and modify style elements.

A Functions File #

The majority of WordPress themes contain a functions.php file, which is typically used to manage specific behaviors of WordPress or the theme’s output. For example, a functions file can register sidebar widgets and their styles, among other function-related aspects. In Genesis, the functions.php file is straightforward – it triggers the entire framework to run, and that is the only code present. The beauty of Genesis’s design lies in the child theme’s functions file, where numerous actions take place – additional sidebar widgets can be registered, and custom functions are defined, filtered, and hooked from a development perspective (more on this in future posts).

An Images Folder #

As the name suggests, the images folder is relatively self-explanatory. Like any other WordPress theme, this folder stores images required by the theme. It can house background images, icons, navbar gradients, and other elements.

In Conclusion #

To elucidate the relationship between a parent theme and a child theme, particularly in the case of Genesis, one could compare it to a cell phone. The Genesis parent theme represents the cell phone itself, while the child theme symbolizes the protective case. The core phone remains the same, but if you wish to alter its external appearance, you put a cover on it for a different look. Similarly, a child theme “decorates” your theme, determining its visual presentation.