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       Plugin: Provides a set of hooks that enable plugins access to specific parts of WordPress. WordPress contains two different types of hooks: Actions and Filters. The Action hook enables you to trigger custom plugin code at specific points during execution. For example, you can trigger a custom function to run after a user registers a user account in WordPress. The Filter hook modifies text before adding it to or after retrieving it from the database.

       Widgets: Allows you to create and manage widgets in your plugin. Widgets appear under the Appearance ➪ Widgets screen and are available to add to any registered sidebar in your theme. The API enables multiple instances of the same widget to be used throughout your sidebars.

       Shortcode: Adds shortcode support to your plugin. A shortcode is a simple hook that enables you to call a PHP function by adding something such as [shortcode] to a post or page.

       HTTP: Sends HTTP requests from your plugin. This API retrieves content from an external URL or for submitting content to a URL. Currently you have five different ways to send an HTTP request. This API standardizes that process and tests each method prior to executing. Based on your server configuration, the API will use the appropriate method and make the request.

       REST API: Allows developers to interact with your WordPress website remotely by sending and receiving JavaScript Object Notation (JSON) objects. You can create, read, update, and delete (CRUD) content within WordPress. The REST API is covered extensively in Chapter 12, “REST API.”

       Settings: Inserts settings or a settings section for your plugin. The primary advantage to using the Settings API is security. All settings data is scrubbed, so you do not need to worry about cross‐site request forgery (CSRF) and cross‐site scripting (XSS) attacks when saving plugin settings.

       Options: Stores and retrieves options in your plugin. This API features the capability to create new options, update existing options, delete options, and retrieve any option already defined.

       Dashboard Widgets: Creates Dashboard widgets. Widgets automatically appear on the WordPress Dashboard and contain all standard customization features including minimize, drag/drop, and screen options for hiding.

       Rewrite: Creates custom rewrite rules in your plugin. This API enables you to add static endpoints ( /custom‐page/), structure tags ( %postname%), and feed links ( /feed/json/).

       Transients: Creates temporary options (cached data) in your plugins. This API is similar to the Options API, but all options are saved with an expiration time.

       Database: Accesses the WordPress database. This includes creating, updating, deleting, and retrieving database records for use in your plugins.

       Theme Customization (Customize) API: Adds custom website and theme options to the WordPress Customizer. Theme customizations are displayed in a real‐time preview prior to publishing to the live website.