![tema smith tema smith](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51QmmlEimDL._SX260_.jpg)
In other words, a theme framework is a parent theme or an advanced parent theme, as some call theme. If I carry this to other themes or theme frameworks, I believe that "themes" like Genesis are theme frameworks as their primary purpose is to be extended and serve as a framework, yet there is a front-end and a back-end that is ready to be used and customized out-of-the box.
![tema smith tema smith](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/ECr-EVlXsAIo5NF.jpg)
In WordPress terms, a framework does not include or require to contain a functions.php or a style.css, as Hybrid Core. A framework displays nothing on the front-end or the back-end. Yet, I would differentiate between a a framework from a theme framework using the former in its more pure scope meaning "a reusable set of libraries, functions, classes for a system" or as Justin defines it "a set of conventions." A theme framework, on the other hand, is a parent theme that implements a framework. Justin Tadlock defines a theme framework as.Ī set of conventions to use for developing WordPress themes. So, let's look at these four: theme frameworks, parent themes, child themes, and grandchild themes a bit more closely. The only scenario I can conceive is as part of an internal multi-site/sub-sub-site but besides this rare occasion, at the moment I cannot think of any that would justify the use of a grandchild theme over developing via branches.
![tema smith tema smith](https://images.forwardcdn.com/image/303x227/center/top/images/cropped/istock-482964331-1560872191.jpg)
Is there ever an instance where it should be used? Possibly. Are they maintainable? Yes with some great difficulty though not scalable. Justin Tadlock, for example, writes an excellent post against the argument of creating grandchild themes, which PostStatus concurs with an apt statement: Grandchild themes solve "a problem to a bad architecture." While I am not sure that it is "a bad architecture" per se, but more a bad practice that creates a bad architecture.Īre grandchild themes possible? Yes. Grandchild themes? Really? Yes, they are possible but not popular with many lead developers arguing against this practice.