get_category() WP 1.0

Retrieves category data given a category ID or category object.

If you pass the $category parameter an object, which is assumed to be the category row object retrieved the database. It will cache the category data.

If you pass $category an integer of the category ID, then that category will be retrieved from the database, if it isn't already cached, and pass it back.

If you look at get_term(), then both types will be passed through several filters and finally sanitized based on the $filter parameter value.

No Hooks.

Return

Object/Array/WP_Error/null. Category data in type defined by $output parameter. WP_Error if $category is empty, null if it does not exist.

Usage

get_category( $category, $output, $filter );

$category(int/object) (required)

Category ID or Category row object

$output(string)

The required return type. One of OBJECT, ARRAY_A, or ARRAY_N, which correspond to a WP_Term object, an associative array, or a numeric array, respectively.
Default: OBJECT

$filter(string)

Optional.
Default: raw or no WordPress defined filter will applied

Changelog

Code of get category: wp-includes/category.php ^{WP 5.4.1}

<?php
function get_category( $category, $output = OBJECT, $filter = 'raw' ) {
	$category = get_term( $category, 'category', $output, $filter );

	if ( is_wp_error( $category ) ) {
		return $category;
	}

	_make_cat_compat( $category );

	return $category;
}

Related Functions

From category: Categories