WordPress debugging is the process of identifying and resolving issues within a WordPress site, such as errors in themes, plugins, or core files. It involves enabling debug mode by adding `define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true);` to the wp-config.php file, which logs errors to a debug.log file for analysis. Common tools include plugins like Query Monitor or Debug Bar, which help track database queries, PHP errors, and performance bottlenecks. Effective debugging ensures site stability, improves speed, and enhances security by systematically testing code, checking for conflicts, and optimizing resources to prevent downtime and user frustration.
Table of Contents
- Part 1: OnlineExamMaker AI Quiz Maker – Make A Free Quiz in Minutes
- Part 2: 20 WordPress Debugging Quiz Questions & Answers
- Part 3: Try OnlineExamMaker AI Question Generator to Create Quiz Questions
Part 1: OnlineExamMaker AI Quiz Maker – Make A Free Quiz in Minutes
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Part 2: 20 WordPress Debugging Quiz Questions & Answers
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1. Question: What is the primary purpose of the WP_DEBUG constant in WordPress?
A) To optimize website performance
B) To enable error logging and display
C) To disable all plugins
D) To cache database queries
Answer: B
Explanation: WP_DEBUG is a PHP constant that, when set to true in wp-config.php, activates WordPress’s debugging features, allowing errors, warnings, and notices to be logged or displayed for troubleshooting.
2. Question: Which file in WordPress is commonly edited to enable debugging?
A) functions.php
B) wp-config.php
C) index.php
D) style.css
Answer: B
Explanation: The wp-config.php file is where constants like WP_DEBUG are defined, making it the central location for enabling debugging without altering core files.
3. Question: What does the White Screen of Death (WSOD) in WordPress typically indicate?
A) A successful update
B) A fatal PHP error
C) A plugin activation success
D) Low server memory
Answer: B
Explanation: WSOD often results from a fatal PHP error that halts script execution, and enabling WP_DEBUG can help reveal the underlying issue in error logs.
4. Question: How can you check for plugin conflicts in WordPress?
A) By deactivating all plugins at once
B) By manually editing the database
C) By renaming the plugins folder via FTP
D) By checking the theme settings
Answer: C
Explanation: Renaming the plugins folder temporarily disables all plugins, allowing you to reactivate them one by one to identify conflicts without accessing the admin dashboard.
5. Question: What is the function of the WP_DEBUG_LOG constant?
A) It displays errors on the screen
B) It logs errors to a file
C) It sends errors via email
D) It ignores all warnings
Answer: B
Explanation: When WP_DEBUG_LOG is set to true, WordPress logs debugging information to a file named debug.log in the wp-content directory, providing a record for analysis.
6. Question: Which WordPress constant can be used to display errors directly on the site?
A) WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY
B) WP_ERROR_LOG
C) DEBUG_MODE
D) ERROR_REPORTING
Answer: A
Explanation: WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY controls whether debug messages are shown on the frontend; setting it to true outputs errors directly, which is useful for development but should be false on live sites.
7. Question: What tool is commonly used to monitor database queries during WordPress debugging?
A) Query Monitor plugin
B) Yoast SEO
C) Akismet
D) Jetpack
Answer: A
Explanation: The Query Monitor plugin provides detailed insights into database queries, including slow queries and hooks, helping identify performance bottlenecks.
8. Question: How can you debug a 404 error on a WordPress page?
A) By checking the .htaccess file
B) By updating the theme
C) By clearing browser cookies
D) By reinstalling WordPress
Answer: A
Explanation: The .htaccess file handles URL rewriting; errors here can cause 404 issues, and resetting it often resolves problems related to permalinks.
9. Question: What is a common cause of memory exhaustion errors in WordPress?
A) Too many images
B) Inefficient code or large datasets
C) Excessive comments
D) Short plugin names
Answer: B
Explanation: Memory exhaustion occurs when scripts use more PHP memory than allocated, often due to poorly optimized plugins or themes processing large amounts of data.
10. Question: Which PHP function is safe to use for debugging variables in WordPress?
A) echo
B) var_dump with output buffering
C) print
D) exit
Answer: B
Explanation: Using var_dump with output buffering (e.g., ob_start()) prevents it from breaking the page layout, allowing you to inspect variables without disrupting the site.
11. Question: How do you enable logging of all PHP errors in WordPress?
A) Set WP_DEBUG to false
B) Add define(‘WP_DEBUG’, true); and define(‘WP_DEBUG_LOG’, true);
C) Disable all themes
D) Clear the cache
Answer: B
Explanation: Combining WP_DEBUG and WP_DEBUG_LOG in wp-config.php ensures that all errors are logged to a file, providing a comprehensive debug trail.
12. Question: What should you check first for deprecated function errors in WordPress?
A) The theme’s style.css
B) The PHP error log
C) WordPress codex documentation
D) Plugin settings
Answer: B
Explanation: Deprecated functions trigger notices in the error log when WP_DEBUG is enabled, helping you identify and update outdated code in themes or plugins.
13. Question: Which method is best for debugging AJAX calls in WordPress?
A) Using console.log in JavaScript
B) Checking the browser’s network tab
C) Disabling HTTPS
D) Restarting the server
Answer: B
Explanation: The browser’s network tab in developer tools shows AJAX requests, responses, and errors, allowing you to debug issues like failed calls or incorrect data.
14. Question: What role does the debug bar play in WordPress debugging?
A) It hides errors
B) It provides a toolbar with debugging info
C) It speeds up the site
D) It blocks spam
Answer: B
Explanation: Plugins like Debug Bar add a toolbar to the admin interface, displaying real-time data on queries, hooks, and errors for easier troubleshooting.
15. Question: How can you identify theme-related errors in WordPress?
A) By switching to a default theme like Twenty Twenty-One
B) By updating plugins
C) By changing the site title
D) By clearing the browser history
Answer: A
Explanation: Switching to a default theme isolates whether the issue is theme-specific, as custom themes can introduce conflicts not present in core themes.
16. Question: What is the first step in debugging a WordPress database connection error?
A) Check the wp-config.php file for DB credentials
B) Reinstall all plugins
C) Change the server IP
D) Update WordPress core
Answer: A
Explanation: Database errors often stem from incorrect credentials in wp-config.php, so verifying and correcting them is the initial troubleshooting step.
17. Question: Which constant can suppress error messages on a live WordPress site?
A) WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY set to false
B) WP_DEBUG set to true
C) ERROR_LOG set to off
D) PHP_VERSION
Answer: A
Explanation: Setting WP_DEBUG_DISPLAY to false prevents errors from displaying to users, while still allowing logging if WP_DEBUG_LOG is enabled, maintaining site security.
18. Question: How do you debug shortcode issues in WordPress?
A) By checking the shortcode function in functions.php
B) By disabling all widgets
C) By changing the permalink structure
D) By updating the database
Answer: A
Explanation: Shortcodes are defined in theme or plugin files like functions.php; debugging involves inspecting the code for errors in the shortcode handler.
19. Question: What is a common fix for errors after a WordPress update?
A) Reverting to a previous version of WordPress
B) Checking for plugin or theme compatibility
C) Deleting all media files
D) Changing the admin password
Answer: B
Explanation: Updates can cause conflicts with incompatible plugins or themes, so verifying and updating them resolves most post-update errors.
20. Question: How can you parse WordPress error messages effectively?
A) By searching for the error code in the WordPress forums
B) By ignoring them
C) By restarting the browser
D) By clearing the theme cache
Answer: A
Explanation: Error messages often include codes or descriptions that can be researched in official resources like the WordPress forums, leading to targeted fixes.
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