Peter Wilson

Including WordPress’s comment-reply.js (the right way)

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Peter Wilson

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Since threaded comments were enabled in WordPress 2.7, most themes include the following line in header.php

<?php if ( is_singular() ) wp_enqueue_script( 'comment-reply' ); ?>

This code checks if the visitor is browsing either a page or a post and adds the JavaScript required for threaded comments if they are.

I prefer a slight variation

<?php
if ( is_singular() && comments_open() && get_option('thread_comments') )
  wp_enqueue_script( 'comment-reply' );
?>

My variation checks if the visitor is browsing either a page or a post, if comments are open for the entry, and finally, if threaded comments are enabled. If all of these conditions are met, the JavaScript required for threaded comments is added.

If you run your wp_enqueue_script calls in functions.php, as I do, this is the code to use:

<?php
function theme_queue_js(){
if ( (!is_admin()) && is_singular() && comments_open() && get_option('thread_comments') )
  wp_enqueue_script( 'comment-reply' );
}
add_action('wp_print_scripts', 'theme_queue_js');
?>

The call is added to the wp_print_scripts action as is_singular and comments_open are unknown during the init action.

 

Note: I’ve written a plugin to make the comment-reply JavaScript unobtrusive, it’s call Rapid Comment Reply.

Comments

10 responses to “Including WordPress’s comment-reply.js (the right way)”

  1. Matt Hill Avatar
    Matt Hill

    Very handy. I’ve been transferring my base theme from each new version of WP to the next, and didn’t realise I wasn’t including this!

  2. Christine Fürst Avatar
    Christine Fürst

    Hi Peter,

    Thanks a lot for your tips. I just started using WordPress for my own site and I’m glad that there is useful information like yours out there.

    Bye, Christine (aks @stinie)

  3. chibex de naija computer nerd Avatar
    chibex de naija computer nerd

    This is really helpful, but when i while my source on browser with firebug it will not show up until i remove “(get_option(‘thread_comments’) == 1)” statement.

    I am using it without “(get_option(‘thread_comments’) == 1)” statement and it’s working for

    Thanks.

    1. Peter Wilson Avatar
      Peter Wilson

      The (get_option(‘thread_comments’) == 1) tests if the enable threaded comments checkbox in discussion settings is on. In the situation you describe, it’s likely threaded comments are disabled (or WordPress erroneously thinks they are).

      Without threaded comments enabled comment-reply.js is not required.

      Pete

  4. kate Avatar
    kate

    what functionality does this actually enable and what if i
    opt not to use this script?

    1. Peter Wilson Avatar
      Peter Wilson

      Without the JavaScript, a reload is required when a visitor clicks an earlier comment’s reply link. By including the JavaScript, no reload is required.

  5. Albert Avatar
    Albert

    Instead of:

    if ( is_singular()

    one should use:

    if ( is_single()

    otherwise the script will be called on all pages, which defeats the purpose. Took me a while to figure this out, but better late than never.

    1. Peter Wilson Avatar
      Peter Wilson

      I’ve used if_singular as WordPress allows comments on the default page & post content types. They are also permitted on custom content types.

      Using if_single will not insert the script on pages with comments enabled.

      I’ve seen themes disable comments for pages by leaving out the call to comments_template() in the page template. In addition a filter should be set up to indicate comments are closed to the WordPress code base:

      function noPgComments($open,$post_id) {
  if (get_post_type($post_id) == 'page') {
    $open = false;
  }
  return $open;
}

add_filter( 'comments_open', 'noPgComments', 10, 2 );
  6. Yun Avatar
    Yun

    This looks so easy….if you’re using the basic themes..
    I am using Theron Lite theme to be specific, and I don’t really have a clue on where to start.
    Is anyone in the mood of helping? :)

  7. iLen Avatar
    iLen

    thank you very much, it served me well. Although the best way is to place it within a ‘hook’

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