What is Hook?
In a Content Management System (CMS), a hook allows developers to modify the behaviour of certain parts of the code without modifying the core files. Hooks serve as specific points in the code where developers can add their custom code and remove it when done.
WordPress offers two types of hooks: actions and filters.
Actions execute custom code at specific points in the WordPress core, theme, and plugin code. For example, an action can add a custom widget to the sidebar or send an email when a new user registers.
Filters, on the other hand, modify data passed through specific points in the code. For example, a filter can change the text displayed on the login form or alter the number of posts displayed on the homepage. Implementing hooks makes changes to the code more maintainable by separating custom code from the core code, which in turn facilitates updates to the plugin or theme and reduces the risk of custom code breaking when updates are released.
WooCommerce Functions and Hooks
WooCommerce is a popular e-commerce plugin for WordPress that allows users to easily create and manage an online store. It provides a variety of functions and hooks that can be used to customize and extend the functionality of the plugin.
Here are some examples of WooCommerce functions and hooks, grouped by category
Functions for Retrieving Product Data
wc_get_product( $product_id ): Retrieves a product object by ID.wc_get_product_id_by_sku( $sku ): Retrieves a product ID by its SKU.wc_get_product_terms( $product_id, $taxonomy, $args ): Retrieves the terms for a product in a specific taxonomy.
Functions for Updating Product Data
wc_update_product_stock( $product, $stock_quantity, $operation = 'set' ): Updates the stock quantity for a product.wc_update_product_stock_status( $product, $status ): Updates the stock status for a product.wc_update_product_meta_data( $product_id, $meta_key, $meta_value ): Updates a product’s meta data.
Functions for Displaying Product Data
wc_get_template( $template_name, $args, $template_path, $default_path ): Retrieves a template file and makes it easy to pass data to it.wc_product_class( $classname, $product ): Returns the appropriate classname for a product.wc_get_product_attributes( $product ): Retrieves the attributes for a product.
Hooks for Customizing Product Data
woocommerce_before_add_to_cart_button: Allows you to add content before the add to cart button on a single product page.woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item: Allows you to add content after each product in the shop loop.woocommerce_product_meta_start: Allows you to add content before the product meta on a single product page.
Hooks for Customizing Checkout and Order Data
woocommerce_checkout_fields: Allows you to customize the checkout fields.woocommerce_checkout_update_order_meta: Allows you to update order meta data during checkout.woocommerce_order_status_changed: Allows you to perform actions when an order’s status is changed.
Please note that this list is not exhaustive and there are many more functions and hooks provided by WooCommerce. It’s also worth noting that these are examples of some of the most commonly used functions and hooks, and that there are many more that can be used depending on the specific use case.
Sample Functions and Hooks Code
Retrieving Product Data
// Get a product object by ID
$product = wc_get_product( $product_id );
// Get a product ID by its SKU
$product_id = wc_get_product_id_by_sku( 'ABC123' );
// Get the terms for a product in a specific taxonomy
$terms = wc_get_product_terms( $product_id, 'product_tag', array( 'fields' => 'names' ) );
Updating Product Data
// Update the stock quantity for a product
wc_update_product_stock( $product, 10 );
// Update the stock status for a product
wc_update_product_stock_status( $product, 'outofstock' );
// Update a product's meta data
wc_update_product_meta_data( $product_id, 'custom_field', 'custom_value' );
Hooks for Customizing Product Data
// Add content before the add to cart button on a single product page
add_action( 'woocommerce_before_add_to_cart_button', 'custom_content_before_add_to_cart' );
function custom_content_before_add_to_cart() {
echo '<p>Custom content before add to cart button</p>';
}
// Add content after each product in the shop loop
add_action( 'woocommerce_after_shop_loop_item', 'custom_content_after_shop_loop_item' );
function custom_content_after_shop_loop_item() {
echo '<p>Custom content after each product in the shop loop</p>';
}
Hooks for Customizing Checkout and Order Data
// Customize the checkout fields
add_filter( 'woocommerce_checkout_fields' , 'custom_override_checkout_fields' );
function custom_override_checkout_fields( $fields ) {
$fields['billing']['billing_phone']['required'] = false;
return $fields;
}
// Update order meta data during checkout
add_action( 'woocommerce_checkout_update_order_meta', 'custom_update_order_meta' );
function custom_update_order_meta( $order_id ) {
update_post_meta( $order_id, 'custom_field', $_POST['custom_field'] );
}
// Perform actions when an order's status is changed
add_action( 'woocommerce_order_status_changed', 'custom_order_status_changed', 10, 3 );
function custom_order_status_changed( $order_id, $old_status, $new_status ) {
if ( $new_status == 'completed' ) {
// do something
}
}
Please note that, these are examples of how to use the functions and hooks, you need to replace the values and variables accordingly and also need to test it in your development environment before applying on live site.
