Hi,
I just updated from NewsMag version 1.7.1 to 2.0. In your updated documentation I see several files changed including several files I moved to the child theme folder to make some slight customizations.
With each passing update will my modified files be outdated. Should I make these modification to the new updated files? I made slight changes to the category.php, loop-single-3.php, loop-single.php, single.php and page.php files.
I want to make sure I am not missing out on any new features by using older files?
Hi
Check the change log and if the file that you’re using in child theme appear as modified you should update it, because otherwise this could cause issues, so it’s best to also update those files.
Thanks!
Then again, what is the point of using child theme?
There isn’t much point. It’s generally a dumb idea. Main reason to use one is to make “alternate” versions of a theme based on the parent.
I don’t believe in them, and stopped using them years ago. But it’s a “standard” practice with WordPress.
For our network, we edit the main files and keep track of the files and the edits; then re-apply to major theme updates as needed.
Other downside to child theme is that it’s a CSS redirect.
Others will *strongly* disagree with me, but I personally don’t use child themes for exactly the issue you just ran into. 🙂
Thats a drag. Even if you dont use a child theme you need to update those files or else lose your customizations.
I don’t recall any other theme where I would have to re do all the work. Wish there was an easier way to reapply the custom edits
I have worked with numerous themes and foundries where major updates change core features. Even things like canvas, and others have had this same issue. And of course tagdiv is one of the few foundries that evolves theme based on cluent feature requests. So, if they add 10 features, obviously the core files have to change to support the new functionality. So, a trade off.
Hi
Thanks Chris!
If you plan to customize theme’s code then it is recommended to use the child theme and make the necessary adjustments there, you have a guide on how to do that here: https://forum.tagdiv.com/child-theme-documentation-newsmag/
Using a child theme is recommended but given the fact that we are constantly looking to improve pour products we usually release updates quite often so if we change a file in the main theme which you’ve altered in the child theme you have to take note of those changes and adjust your changes to the new version of the file so in this regard if files you change are post’s templates or headers then you could use the child theme because we don’t plan to change any posts template or headers or anything similar, usually the change occur in theme core files.
Thanks!
