GD Content Tools
Meta Fields and Meta Boxes
The plugin adds a powerful system for implementing meta fields and meta boxes to integrate with posts, terms or users, and add extra information. The plugin currently has 32 basic fields that can be used to create simple meta fields or combine basic fields to create custom meta fields for more complex data. Both simple and custom fields can be set as required and fields can be set to use a repeater (with some limitations depending on the basic field used).
Simple and Complex Meta Fields
A simple meta field is made from a single basic field type and it is what you will need for most purposes. Each field can have methods to enter a value, configure the field behavior, and so on. Some fields can support repeaters or can be set as required. Some of the basic fields can have a different way to display, and some can even use enhanced controls (datepicker, AJAX powered dropdown).
Complex meta fields can be made from one or more basic fields. This way you can define some more complex data element that can contain image, text, some selection field, or something else. Individual field elements can support repeaters, and the whole field can be repeatable.
Each field needs a label and a slug that is used as a field identifier, and for saving the field value in the metadata table. Complex field sub-fields also have their own label/slug to identify sub-field inside the main complex field
Meta Boxes
Once you have your fields in order, you can combine the fields inside the meta box, and you can assign your metabox to post types, users or taxonomies even. This way you can add metadata not only to posts but to users or terms!
For each box, you can choose layout and location for additional field information. And, you can control repeaters on the metabox level. Metabox needs to have a label and a slug too. There are two types of boxes, and one of them can use only simple fields, the other type can mix simple and complex meta fields. The main difference is in the complexity of the stored data.
To integrate the field on the front end and display the fields information, the plugin can generate PHP code that you can use (and modify) to add to your theme templates.
