Using WordPress ‘pre_get_col_charset’ PHP filter

The pre_get_col_charset filter allows you to modify the column charset value before the database is checked, potentially bypassing the need to check the database.

Usage

add_filter('pre_get_col_charset', 'your_custom_function', 10, 3);
function your_custom_function($charset, $table, $column) {
    // your custom code here
    return $charset;
}

Parameters

  • $charset (string|null): The character set to use. Default is null.
  • $table (string): The name of the table being checked.
  • $column (string): The name of the column being checked.

More information

See WordPress Developer Resources: pre_get_col_charset

Examples

Set a custom charset for a specific table and column

In this example, we set a custom charset for the content column of the my_custom_table.

add_filter('pre_get_col_charset', 'set_custom_charset', 10, 3);
function set_custom_charset($charset, $table, $column) {
    if ($table == 'my_custom_table' && $column == 'content') {
        $charset = 'utf8mb4';
    }
    return $charset;
}

Set a custom charset for all tables

In this example, we set a custom charset for all tables in the database.

add_filter('pre_get_col_charset', 'set_charset_for_all_tables', 10, 3);
function set_charset_for_all_tables($charset, $table, $column) {
    $charset = 'utf8';
    return $charset;
}

Set a custom charset for all columns with a specific name

In this example, we set a custom charset for all columns named description.

add_filter('pre_get_col_charset', 'set_charset_for_description_columns', 10, 3);
function set_charset_for_description_columns($charset, $table, $column) {
    if ($column == 'description') {
        $charset = 'utf8mb4';
    }
    return $charset;
}

Set a custom charset based on a condition

In this example, we set a custom charset based on a specific condition.

add_filter('pre_get_col_charset', 'conditionally_set_charset', 10, 3);
function conditionally_set_charset($charset, $table, $column) {
    if (your_custom_condition($table, $column)) {
        $charset = 'utf8mb4';
    }
    return $charset;
}

Bypass charset check for specific tables

In this example, we bypass the charset check for specific tables by returning a non-null value.

add_filter('pre_get_col_charset', 'bypass_charset_check', 10, 3);
function bypass_charset_check($charset, $table, $column) {
    $bypass_tables = array('table1', 'table2', 'table3');
    if (in_array($table, $bypass_tables)) {
        $charset = 'utf8';
    }
    return $charset;
}