Latest 3 Posts

1. Testing SCSS Locally: How to Build a Simple Node-based Playground

   Today I want to describe to you how to build a simple and flexible playground to test SCSS code locally — if you are a DIYer there are good chances you'll enjoy the post.

2. Building a Retractable Sidebar with React and CSS

   In this post I go into the details of developing a retractable sidebar which opens on a blurred background, by helping you make yours the reasoning behind the development process.

3. How to Download an Array of Data Objects as CSV File with TypeScript

   Knowing how to implement the download of data objects as CSV file with vanilla TypeScript is useful even for job interviews. In this post I cover the necessary information and code to accomplish the task.

CSS, SASS

1. Testing SCSS Locally: How to Build a Simple Node-based Playground

   Today I want to describe to you how to build a simple and flexible playground to test SCSS code locally — if you are a DIYer there are good chances you'll enjoy the post.

2. How to Make a CSS-only Tooltip Appear from Any Direction

   A guide on making a CSS-only tooltip to land from any of the four main directions by just changing a CSS class.

3. Drawing a Tooltip with CSS: Can a Border Give Shape to a Triangle?

   A how-to on drawing a tooltip with CSS, and an aside on how a border can be used to shape a triangle.

4. How to Draw a Go-back Arrow with CSS Pseudo-elements

   When the need arose to add a left arrow to a go‑back link without making any changes to the markup, the solution followed naturally: CSS pseudo-elements.

React

1. Building a Retractable Sidebar with React and CSS

   In this post I go into the details of developing a retractable sidebar which opens on a blurred background, by helping you make yours the reasoning behind the development process.

2. How to Turn Greyscale an Interactive or Static Google Map

   Giving a greyscale touch to an interactive or static Google map with React is not an ordinary task, but with the help of this guide it will look really as such.

3. useClickOutside() — A Custom React Hook to Intercept Clicks Falling Outside an Element

   A reusable solution based on the React Hook pattern, and spiced with some TypeScript, to intercept click events occurring outside a given element.

TypeScript

1. How to Download an Array of Data Objects as CSV File with TypeScript

   Knowing how to implement the download of data objects as CSV file with vanilla TypeScript is useful even for job interviews. In this post I cover the necessary information and code to accomplish the task.

JavaScript

1. A Custom Function to Deeply Merge Two Objects in JavaScript

   A reusable solution to deeply merge two JavaScript objects by leveraging the 'Array.prototype.reduce()' function, Recursion and the Spread Syntax.

WordPress

1. How to Register Multiple Gutenberg Blocks Each Through its Own block.json File

   As I recently faced the lack of information on how to register two or more Gutenberg blocks by means of block.json configuration files, I thought I'd share what I learnt while experimenting on my own.

2. How to Rename a Shortcode Programmatically

   When we change mind on the name of a shortcode become almost ubiquitous amongst our Posts, the only reasonable way of renaming all its occurrences is programmatically.

3. Raw Solution to Ordering an Array of Page Objects Hierarchically

   A two steps approach to reordering an array of Page objects by `post_parent`

4. How to Delete a Whole Taxonomy from the Database

   To carry out such a task, the most streamlined solution that can be adopted is to use three custom queries.

5. A Bash Script to Automate the Publishing of Plugin Updates

   Developed on macOS, the bash script described in this post is born from the need to automate some of the tasks a plugin developer has to routinely do to publish plugin updates on WordPress.org.

6. The 'db-error.php' Plugin

   The 'db-error.php' plugin is a Drop-in Plugin that WordPress attempts to load whenever there is a problem connecting to the database, an example is given in this post.

News

1. The Permalinks Cascade Pro Goes Free

   For the course of events to change, it doesn't necessarily have to take place a paradigm shift, sometimes even a decision made to fulfil an ordinary need is enough.

2. The Permalinks Cascade Pro 1.0: SiteTree Passes the Baton

   This post is about a breath of fresh air: I gave the plugin a new name, and from now on it will be distributed in two versions, Pro and Lite.

3. Flock: A Minimalist WordPress Theme for Bloggers

   In its first iteration Flock is a bare-bones theme for personal blogs. Let me introduce it to you!

4. RedBrick: Simple Anti-spam Plugin for WordPress Blogs

   Today I'm happy to introduce to you the first version of a plugin that weeks ago blocked its first spam comment on this very site. Welcome RedBrick!

5. SiteTree 7.1 and A Few Changes

   What happened to Multilingual Leaf, plus some changes about the way SiteTree is sold.

6. SiteTree 7.0: A Nest of New Features

   The ability to build stand-alone Image and Video Sitemaps is just one of the new features. SiteTree 7.0 is here!

7. SiteTree is About to Go Premium

   I have always been of the idea that the freemium business model was the one that best suited my way of thinking, but sometimes needs change rapidly, and when it does happen, action has to be taken proactively.

8. SiteTree 6.0: Site Tree Pagination and XML Sitemap Index

   Two automated functionalities targeted on fast growing websites and on websites which are already modest in size.

9. Pro Leaf Becomes Wonder Leaf

   To stay true to my view even in the scope of my working activity, renaming Pro Leaf, the add-on of the little gems, was a step that I couldn't but take.

10. Pro Leaf 1.2: Ghost Pages at a Glance, and in Bulk

    This time around it's the Ghost Pages feature of SiteTree to see an uplift: Pro Leaf 1.2 makes Ghost Pages easier to spot, and faster to flag.

11. Multilingual Leaf: Finally, the Missing Link Between SiteTree and WPML

    A new WordPress plugin has just bloomed into the Interweb, its name is Multilingual Leaf, and it is only awaiting to be discovered.

12. Demux Leaf Will Join the Core of SiteTree 6.0

    I couldn't have predicted that only three months after the launch of Demux Leaf, I would have announced my decision of opening its source to the community, but I'm doing it, and I couldn't be more confident about my choice.

13. SiteTree 5.2: It's Time for a Template Tag

    SiteTree 5.2 is a small update, but big enough to introduce a really flexible Template Tag, `sitetree_get_hyperlist()`.

14. SiteTree Collects its First 100k Downloads

    In a waving time like the one we are going through, this is more than a milestone, it is a present.

15. SiteTree 5.1: Hyper-lists of Child Pages, and A Second Mini-feature

    In this release the shortcode feature introduced with SiteTree 4.5 is further enhanced by the introduction of a new attribute, `only_children_of`. But there is more to this release.

16. Meet the Leaves, Add-ons for SiteTree

    Leaves are plugins, plugins specifically built for SiteTree. Out there this kind of software is called add-on, or simply extension, but apparently I am unable not to leave spoors of me.

PHP

1. A Custom PHP Function to Rename the Keys of an Element of a Multidimensional Associative Array While Preserving Elements' Order

   When you want to rename a key without causing the elements of a multidimensional associative array to shuffle, native PHP functions alone aren't enough. Creativity has to absolutely come into play.