get_the_category() won't change between category requests

  • skywalker84

    (@skywalker84)


    11 years, 4 months ago

    I have searched all over and can’t seem to find any help or docs on why get_the_category doesn’t change between category requests.

    Basically what I’m trying to do is have a custom sidebar display on certain categories.
    In category.php I have:

    $category = get_the_category();
$category_slug = $category[0]->slug;

    and

    if ( in_array($category_slug, $pdi_cats) ) {

	?>
    <div id="sidebar-container" class="cat-sidebar-<?php echo $category_slug; ?>">

	<?php
	if ( !function_exists('dynamic_sidebar') || !dynamic_sidebar( $category_slug . '-sidebar' ) ) {

	}
	?>

	</div><!--sidebar-container-->
	<?php

} else {

	get_sidebar();

}

    which loops through my array of custom categories and if the current category is one of them displays that sidebar.

    The problem is that $category_slug won’t change when I change categories. It keeps displaying the first category that I pulled up like it’s caching it. Am I totally missing something here?

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
  • Michael

    (@alchymyth)

    11 years, 4 months ago

    http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/get_the_category
    does not have reliable results outside of the loop.

    in category.php try and use:

    $category_slug = get_category(get_query_var('cat'))->slug;

    Thread Starter skywalker84

    (@skywalker84)

    11 years, 4 months ago

    Excellent! Works perfect now thanks!

    Is there a simple explanation why it does not return correct results outside the loop? Just like to know for future reference.

    This tag may be used outside The Loop by passing a post id as the parameter.

    But the id param is optional and says it passes in the current post id.

Viewing 2 replies - 1 through 2 (of 2 total)
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