The current_action() WordPress PHP function retrieves the name of the current action hook.
Usage
Here’s an example of how you might use this function:
$current_action = current_action();
if ($current_action == 'init') {
echo 'WordPress is initializing';
}
In this example, the function current_action() is called to get the name of the current action hook. If the current action is ‘init’, the message ‘WordPress is initializing’ will be output.
Parameters
- This function does not accept any parameters.
More information
See WordPress Developer Resources: current_action()
This function is not deprecated and can be found in the WordPress core files, specifically in the plugin.php file.
Examples
Check if in ‘wp_head’ action
In this example, we check if the current action is ‘wp_head’.
$current_action = current_action();
if ($current_action == 'wp_head') {
echo 'We are in the wp_head action';
}
Check if in ‘wp_footer’ action
Here we check if the current action is ‘wp_footer’.
$current_action = current_action();
if ($current_action == 'wp_footer') {
echo 'We are in the wp_footer action';
}
Check if in ‘init’ action
This time, we check if the current action is ‘init’.
$current_action = current_action();
if ($current_action == 'init') {
echo 'WordPress is initializing';
}
Using in a switch statement
We can also use current_action() in a switch statement to perform different tasks based on the current action.
switch (current_action()) {
case 'init':
echo 'WordPress is initializing';
break;
case 'wp_head':
echo 'We are in the wp_head action';
break;
case 'wp_footer':
echo 'We are in the wp_footer action';
break;
default:
echo 'Unknown action';
}
Check if in ‘admin_init’ action
Lastly, we can check if the current action is ‘admin_init’, an action that fires as an admin screen or script is being initialized.
$current_action = current_action();
if ($current_action == 'admin_init') {
echo 'Admin area is initializing';
}