get_header() WP 1.5.0

Includes the header.php template file from your current theme's directory. If a $name is specified then header-{name}.php file will be included.

If the theme contains no header.php file then the header from the default theme wp-includes/theme-compat/header.php will be included.

Return

Null. Nothing.

Usage

get_header( $name );

$name(string)

The name of the specialised header.
Default: null

Examples

#1 Simple 404 page

<?php get_header(); ?>
<h2>Error 404 - Not Found</h2>
<?php get_sidebar(); ?>
<?php get_footer(); ?>

#2 Multiple Headers

<?php
if ( is_home() ) :
	get_header( 'home' );
elseif ( is_404() ) :
	get_header( '404' );
else :
	get_header();
endif;
?>

The file names for the home and 404 headers should be header-home.php and header-404.php respectively.

Changelog

Code of get header: wp-includes/general-template.php ^{WP 5.4.2}

<?php
function get_header( $name = null ) {
	/**
	 * Fires before the header template file is loaded.
	 *
	 * @since 2.1.0
	 * @since 2.8.0 $name parameter added.
	 *
	 * @param string|null $name Name of the specific header file to use. null for the default header.
	 */
	do_action( 'get_header', $name );

	$templates = array();
	$name      = (string) $name;
	if ( '' !== $name ) {
		$templates[] = "header-{$name}.php";
	}

	$templates[] = 'header.php';

	locate_template( $templates, true );
}

Related Functions

From category: Theme files connection

More from Template Tags: Main Functions