WordPress Author Functions Documentation

Explain the the_author() Function

The the_author() function is a WordPress template tag that displays the display name of the author of the current post. It is meant to be used inside the WordPress Loop, where WordPress already knows which post (and which author) is being shown.

By default, the_author() echoes (prints) the author’s name directly to the page. It does not normally return the name as a value. If you want to work with the author name in PHP (for example, store it in a variable or build a custom string), you would typically use get_the_author() instead, which returns the same display name as a string.

Summary: the_author() prints the author’s public display name (plain text) for the current post inside The Loop.

Explain the the_author_link() Function

The the_author_link() function is another WordPress template tag that displays the author’s name, but usually as a clickable link. Internally, it uses get_the_author_link(), which builds an HTML string containing an <a> tag.

When the author has a website or author URL set in their profile, the function will print an HTML link where:

• The link text is the author’s display name.
• The link’s href points to the author’s website or author archive page (depending on how WordPress and plugins are configured).

If no URL is available, the_author_link() will simply display the author’s name without a link. Like the_author(), this function echoes its output; it does not normally return a value.

Summary: the_author_link() prints the author’s name, usually wrapped in an HTML <a> tag, so that visitors can click through to more information about that author.

Explain Differences and/or Similarities

The two functions are closely related and share several similarities:

• Both are template tags used in WordPress themes.
• Both are meant to be used inside The Loop, where the current post and author are known.
• Both rely on the author’s display name from the WordPress user profile.

The main differences are in how they output that information:

• Output Type:
  • the_author() prints just the author’s name as plain text.
  • the_author_link() prints HTML (usually an <a> link) that wraps the author’s name.
• Link Behavior:
  • the_author() is used when you only need to show who wrote the post, without any link.
  • the_author_link() is used when you want the author’s name to be clickable, sending visitors to the author’s website or author archive page.
• Return vs Echo:
  • Both functions are designed to echo their output.
  • If a theme or plugin developer needs the values as strings, they would typically use get_the_author() or get_the_author_link() instead of these template tags.

Summary of the Documentation

In WordPress theme development, the_author() and the_author_link() are template tags that make it easy to display information about the author of the current post. Both rely on the author’s display name and are intended for use inside The Loop.

Use the_author() when you simply want to show the author’s name as text. Use the_author_link() when you want that name to become a clickable link that takes visitors to more details about the author. Understanding the difference between “displaying” (echoing) and “returning” these values helps you choose the right function when building or customizing a WordPress theme.