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Liam Maclachlan
Liam Maclachlan
22,805 Points
Posted by Liam Maclachlan
Liam Maclachlan
22,805 Points

Why does this loop need '$the_query->the_content();' so it doesn't break?

So, I'm using a custom post type. When I call the post type, I was having problems with getting the content to screen. That is no longer a problem but could you answer for me why 

    $the_query->the_content();
    $the_query->the_post();

are needed in this loop, and why I simply can't just call the 'the_content()' function

            <?php 
                $args = array(
                        'post_type' => 'Information'
                    );

                // The Query
                $the_query = new WP_Query( $args );

                // The Loop
                if ( $the_query->have_posts() ) {
                    while ( $the_query->have_posts() ) {
                        $the_query->the_content();
                        $the_query->the_post();
                        the_content();

                    }
                } else {
                    echo 'An error has occured. Please contact the site administrator';
                }
                /* Restore original Post Data */
                wp_reset_postdata(); 
            ?>

any insight would be greatly appreciated. I don't fully understand why I need to call the content form the object before it will display (the page doens't load without those 2 lines)

1 Answer

miguelcastro2
miguelcastro2
Courses Plus Student 6,573 Points

$the_query->the_post(); Must come first, because this function sets up the post. So the_post() function retrieves the information about the post and after information is set, you can then begin to display the title, content, and other information.

More info here:

<?php
if ( have_posts() ) {
    while ( have_posts() ) {

        the_post(); ?>

        <h2><?php the_title(); ?></h2>

        <?php the_content(); ?>

    <?php }
}
?>
Liam Maclachlan
Liam Maclachlan
22,805 Points
Liam Maclachlan
Liam Maclachlan
22,805 Points

That's what I thought but just wanted to clear it up. Thanks man :)

Liam Maclachlan
Liam Maclachlan
22,805 Points
Liam Maclachlan
Liam Maclachlan
22,805 Points

Actually, one more thing to clear up. Why is it then that I can't simply call 

$the_query->the_post;

the_content();

but have to instead call.

$the_query->the_post();
$the_query->the_content();
the_content();

Does $the_query->the_post not contain all the relevant object informaiton of the content and it's custom fields?