functions.php or a Functions Plugin – Your WordPress Functions

I recently came across yet another idea of using a plugin instead of your functions.php file.

It’s interesting reading such viewpoints, since many theme developers insist that you put all your functions in their theme’s functions.php files.

Your own custom WordPress functions allow you to extend WordPress in your own way, with or without external plugins or scripts.

Your WordPress theme functions.php file gets loaded at the same time as your site, so your functions get loaded instantly. The theme functions.php file is one of the most common venues to insert your own functions into WordPress.

I always put my functions in my WooTheme’s functions.php file, allowing me an easy way to manage all my custom code. That does make me depend on the current theme a bit.

New Solution: Use a Functions Plugin Instead

A new way of thinking is starting to challenge the popular method of putting your functions into the theme’s functions.php file. That’s good for me, as WordPress is part of my online life currently, and I’m trying my best to optimize everything in my offline and online life.

This time, Dave from Do It With WordPress recommends using a plugin to replace most or all the functions you place in your functions.php files.

Use a Functions plugin instead of functions.php?

One thing I like about Dave approach is the simplicity: Dave recommends using a single Functions plugin file where you stick in all your functions and leave them their for eternity. You could change your themes without having to worry about your functions. All you have to do then is either enable or disable your plugin, and everything will work.

All your functions will be in a single plugin file compatible with any theme you switch to.

Dave also says that using a functions plugin gives your functions the exact same priority and power that they would get if they were in the functions.php file. That means your functions plugin will have your functions.php functions working the exact same way, without you having to change anything.

Where do you put your WordPress functions?

What do you think of this idea? Do you put all your functions in the functions.php file? Do you have a plugin with all your custom functions in it?

Would you recommend dividing between the two areas instead, putting some functions in the functions.php file and some in a functions plugin?

I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Comment below to share what you think or what you do on your site.

Thanks for reading!