Summary
In this chapter, you learned everything you needed to know about creating basic plugins and widgets. Now you know how to structure the PHP file, where to put your functions, and how to use hooks. You also learned about adding management pages and enabling plugins and widgets to have database access. On top of all that, you learned how to create shortcodes, a powerful tool that lets you make dynamic functionality available to all WordPress users. With your already-existing knowledge of PHP and HTML, you now have tools to get started with writing every plugin and widget your heart may desire.
The next chapter will be all about community blogging: running multiuser blogs, and other aspects of turning your site into a serious online magazine.