Shortcodes VS Blocks?

  • Resolved cojl

    (@cojl)


    5 years, 9 months ago

    Hi all!

    I’m new to developing in WP and can’t make a decision on this.

    What’s the best approach to take: Use Gutenberg with blocks or roll with shortcodes all the way? I’m trying to answer this question but can’t seem to land in a decision.

    It needs to be developer-friendly rather than editor friendly. I’ve heard you can convert shortcodes to blocks later on either way, but I’m still uncertain if I should develop shortcodes or go straight with blocks. Advantages/disadvantages?

    Thanks a lot for any clarification!

    • This topic was modified 5 years, 9 months ago by cojl.
Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Moderator James Huff

    (@macmanx)

    Since the new WordPress editor uses blocks instead of shortcodes, I suggest moving forward with blocks: https://developer.www.ads-software.com/block-editor/

    Thread Starter cojl

    (@cojl)

    Alright, thanks. Is there any difference for me as a developer, or can I achieve exactly the same with blocks as previously with shortcodes?

    Moderator James Huff

    (@macmanx)

    If you could do it with a shortcode, you can do it as a block. ??

    Thread Starter cojl

    (@cojl)

    Thanks for the quick response! ??

    I agree with James, Blocks should be the way to go…

    What I notice that I really don’t like is that i need to install new plugin for few blocks, and some of this libraries have similar or repeated blocks… my WP installations are starting to look messy…

    There should be a separate area for blocks, like for plugins, and be able to shop for individual blocks that way…

    Moderator Steven Stern (sterndata)

    (@sterndata)

    Volunteer Forum Moderator

    For what it’s worth, I just built my first Gutenberg/Blocks site for a client. What I would have done with shortcodes before, I did in blocks using the latest version of Advanced Custom Fields. It lets you create blocks totally in PHP. All the javascript magic is handled for you.

    Hi @cojl,
    Definitely, you should go with block as compare to shortcode in Gutenberg. Although Gutenberg supports shortcode you but can provide more functionality to block as compared to the shortcode in Gutenberg.
    Advantages for block:-

    • As Gutenberg work on reactjs so the changes are being reflected in the same page which is more effective than short code.
    • You can provide more option for blocks in front end.
    • For Shortcode you need to cretae a setting page for it.

    Hope this information will help you work on shortcode or block.

    Regards,
    Avinash

    Thread Starter cojl

    (@cojl)

    Thanks for all your input, I’ve decided to go with Gutenberg ??

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
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