Include external files in functions.php WordPress

Question

In my WordPress I have a functions.php file containing 1500 lines of code.

I am not a WordPress developer, so I do not know if this is possible. Can you make a different file to keep functions.php clean and then include the external file inside the functions.php?

Answer 1

Yes you can include the external file in functions.php

require_once( get_template_directory() . 'anyfilename.php' );

Answer 2

If you are working with a Child Theme but the path of your include route is not found:

Try the following:

include_once( get_stylesheet_directory() .'/xxxx/anyfilename.php');

Check get_stylesheet_directory() to see your child theme path.

Answer 3

You can include external files in functions.php by using either

require_once();

or else you can use

include_once();

The difference between these two is that in the event that the file is not found require will give out a fatal error and then stop executing the rest of the file where as include will only issue a warning but will continue the execution of the file.

Answer 4

One very important suggestion:

Ending tag is not needed.