Basic Default Files

why not make a footer.php yourself and do as you please?

I’m just trying to figure out how everything works. I don’t get the php very well. I’ve been trying to dissect various themes, but some of them are pretty complicated. I was hoping find the bare minimum code and work from there.

Actually the footer seems pretty simple. The header I tried to make was less than ideal.

I know there is a nifty explanation for every tag, but I’m having trouble seeing how various elements work together.

Just as an example all of the footers I looked at have this tag
‘<?php wp_footer(); ?>’
but the footer file I tried first worked just fine without it, the reference calls it “…it is one of the most essential theme hooks….” but I didn’t see any difference with it or with out it. Much like the knob on the toaster I’m willing to except that it does something even if I can’t immediately see what.

Please read this https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Template_Hierarchy first. There is the chart that shows all the template files hierarchy. wp_footer is a hook https://codex.www.ads-software.com/Function_Reference/wp_footer

Thanks, I had not stumbled on the hierarchy list yet. So what is a “hook” it most pull something? But what? Since the footer file, seems to work just fine with out it. I did find a very long explanation one day but I didn’t quite get it.

Maybe I should explain, I am a Graphic Artist, not a programmer. A programmer friend assures me that this not above my head.

Right now I’m trying to get a sense of minimum requirements.

Back to my original question, what is the default code? I searched the codex, but didn’t find it. Maybe I need better search terms.