How do I “replace a function via plugins” in WordPress?

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I’m new to WordPress and am not understanding their docs. What I’d like to do is to replace the wp_hash_password (and a few other password related functions) with my own. I’ve already written the functions and had them tested outside WordPress to ensure functionality.

“wp_hash_password function can be replaced via plugins. If plugins do not redefine these functions, then this will be used instead.”

According to WordPress docs

Unfortunately I can’t find any place that tells me HOW to do it. I tried creating a PHP file in the ../wp-content/plugins/myfirstplugin/myplugin.php. In my myplugin.php file I have an “overriding” function:

function wp_hash_password( $password ) {

 // my code is here

}

I also tried renaming my php file to functions.php and even used the add_action & add_filter but again the docs are less than supportive.

I have the code I just need to know how to put it in a “plugin”, where the plugin goes, and how to activate the plugin (is this done in the wordpress admin’s menu?)

Cheers!

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1

You’re on the right track with creating the plugin. All your assumptions are correct.

To avoid errors on activation you’ll want to wrap the functions that you are redefining in function_exists blocks, as on activation those functions will already be defined:

if ( ! function_exists( 'wp_hash_password' ) ) :

function wp_hash_password( $password ) {
    return 'foo';
}

endif;

Put your code in wp-content/plugins/myfirstplugin/myplugin.php make sure the plugin has the file headers so WordPress knows it is a plugin. There is also some helpful information for this on the Writing a plugin page under the heading Standard Plugin information

Then as you already assumed you activate your plugin on the plugins page in the WordPress admin.

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