multiple loops question

  • wplearner

    (@wordpresslearner)


    14 years, 5 months ago

    hey, I have a question about multiple loops in a template, and basically just want to make sure I am doing it right. say I have a custom template and for whatever reason I want a first loop that displays two posts:

    <?php
$myPosts = new WP_Query('posts_per_page=2''cat=2,6');

while($myPosts->have_posts()) : $myPosts->the_post();
?><?php the_content();?>
<?php endwhile; ?>

//and then for whatever reason another loop(even if could be done in
// the first one..

<?php
$myPosts = new WP_Query('posts_per_page=1''cat=3');

while($myPosts->have_posts()) : $myPosts->the_post();
?><?php the_content();?>
<?php endwhile; ?>

    would that be an okay way of doing this, or is there a better way to have two loops in a template?

Viewing 8 replies - 1 through 8 (of 8 total)
  • Big Bagel

    (@big-bagel)

    14 years, 5 months ago

    That’s basically it for creating two new loops. A few things though.

    The arguments for your queries need to be either a single string or an array. For example:

    $myPosts = new WP_Query( 'posts_per_page=2&cat=2,6' );

    or

    $args = array(
    'posts_per_page' => 2,
    'category__in' => array( 2, 6 )
);

$myPosts = new WP_Query( $args );

    I prefer using arrays over query strings as it’s more readable, and category_in over cat. 🙂
    You can see more examples here:

    Class Reference/WP Query

    It’s not necessary, but since you’re reusing the $myPosts variable anyways, it might be more efficient to also reuse the WP_Query object too:

    $myPosts = new WP_Query( 'posts_per_page=2&cat=2,6' );

/* Everything in-between */

$myPosts = $myPosts->query( 'posts_per_page=1&cat=3' );

    Of course, don’t forget to add any extra stuff you want to your actual loops. Right now it would only show the actual content of each post.

    Thread Starter wplearner

    (@wordpresslearner)

    14 years, 5 months ago

    hey thanks for the reply, so you’re suggesting using

    $myPosts = $myPosts->query( 'posts_per_page=1&cat=3' );

    instead of the second while loop?

    Big Bagel

    (@big-bagel)

    14 years, 5 months ago

    Your loops are fine. It’s the parameter strings for your queries that are a bit off:

    Your first query:

    $myPosts = new WP_Query( 'posts_per_page=2''cat=2,6' );

    should be:

    $myPosts = new WP_Query( 'posts_per_page=2&cat=2,6' );

    and your second query:

    $myPosts = new WP_Query( 'posts_per_page=1''cat=3' );

    should be:

    $myPosts = new WP_Query( 'posts_per_page=1&cat=3' );

    Class Reference/WP Query

    Thread Starter wplearner

    (@wordpresslearner)

    14 years, 5 months ago

    yeah I saw that part.. I guess the main reason I was asking is because I read something about having multiple queries can be heavy on the server, so I was wondering if there were a better way of calling two loops..

    I understand there are a couple other methods, (query_posts was one maybe), but I read that it has some downsides, so I just wanted to see if calling two loops seperately was ok, or if one should be nested, or some such.

    Big Bagel

    (@big-bagel)

    14 years, 5 months ago

    query_posts() is for altering the main loop and is thus less ideal when the goal to create additional loops; get_posts() is just a wrapper around the creation of a new WP_Query object. So, while adding extra queries can be expensive depending on what’s being queried, if you want additional loops, using WP_Query is the way to go. Having two queries and two loops is perfectly fine if that’s what you need to do.

    mishamean

    (@mishamean)

    14 years, 5 months ago

    I have a little problem with multiple loops also. I’m trying to do side by side posts, but on a page only. Something like an pro/con debate. Here is my code:

    [code moderated - please follow the forum guidelines for posting code]

    This code shows me the column allright but on the first page I have only category 15 post, the second one only the 16th and so on... Anybody any ideas about how can I make 15th post and 16th post appear on one page?
    Thank you

    Michael

    (@alchymyth)

    14 years, 5 months ago

    @mishamean
    please start your own topic

    please possibly post a link to your site, and use the http://pastebin.com/ for your code – http://codex.wordpress.org/Forum_Welcome#Posting_Code

    Thread Starter wplearner

    (@wordpresslearner)

    14 years, 5 months ago

    hey bagel, thanks man appreciate it.

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

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