What does the WordPress “_e()” function do?

7 comments

1. https://developer.wordpress.org/reference/functions/_e/

   In WordPress, strings in the php files are marked for translation to other languages, and localization using two “tags” which are actually functions. They are:

   __()
   _e()

   Log in to Reply

2. They are used for localization in WordPress themes. If you’re only using one language for your theme, you don’t need them.

   Log in to Reply

3. These are for WordPress localization.

   Here is their documentation: http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/_e

   Also a few links on localization in general on WordPress to put the _e’s in context:

   • http://make.wordpress.org/docs/plugin-developer-handbook/plugin-components/internationalization/
   • http://codex.wordpress.org/I18n_for_WordPress_Developers

   Log in to Reply

4. It is a WordPress Function used for localization.
   See the WordPress Docs for localization.

   With this function you can output/assign “hardcoded” strings within your theme/plugin/code that are translateable (with .mo / .po files or plugins like WPML String Translation).

   The function __( 'My Text', 'my-text-domain' ); assigns a string “My Text” that is translateable. ‘my-text-domain’ is the text-doamin the string is referenced to. This function does not echo anything!

   The function _e( 'My Text', 'my-text-domain' ); is almost the same but it echoes your string directly.

   WordPress Offers several other functions for localization, take a look into the Codex (link on top of my answer).

   Log in to Reply

5. Those are WordPress library function used on localization in WordPress themes. Its recommended to use escapes function as much as possible in theme and plugins for safety.

   __() = Return the translated string
   
   _e() = echo the translated string
   esc_html__() = Escapes & return the translation string use in HTML output
   esc_html_e() = Escapes & echo the translation string use in HTML output
   esc_attr__() = Escapes & return the translation string use in an attribute
   esc_attr_e() = Escapes & echo the translation string use in an attribute

   _n() = Retrieve the plural or single form based on the amount.

   _x() = Retrieve translated string with gettext context
   _ex() = echo translated string with gettext context
   esc_attr_x() = Escapes & return translated string with gettext context use in an attribute
   esc_html_x() = Escapes & return translated string with gettext context use in HTML output

   Log in to Reply

6. If you want echo the translated string, then you will be using _e and
   when you just want to have the translated string, then you will be using __.

   Log in to Reply

7. Actually, from my experience, I find that _e() is a function. It is similar to:

   <?php function _e($txt) {
echo $txt;
}

   It seems to me that if you eliminate it, you run the risk of your text not even showing up. From the uses I have seen, though, it is comments to the WordPress user to remind them to add information to the area, like the footer, header, or whatever. So eliminating may only remove all the hints the theme has built in for you.

   Log in to Reply