How to load jQuery into WordPress properly

Question

I have a WordPress site that I would like to use a jQuery plugin called DataTables. I\'ve been having troubling figuring out the right way to load the jQuery script and the

Answer 1

Best way to do this is through the functions.php file,

URL: http://codex.wordpress.org/Function_Reference/wp_enqueue_script

Sample:

/**
 * Proper way to enqueue scripts and styles
 */
function theme_name_scripts() {
    wp_enqueue_style( 'style-name', get_stylesheet_uri() );
    wp_enqueue_script( 'script-name', get_template_directory_uri() . '/js/example.js', array(), '1.0.0', true );
}

add_action( 'wp_enqueue_scripts', 'theme_name_scripts' );

What this code reads is that you are creating a function called "theme_name_scripts", now you are calling wp_enqueue_script(), this takes 5 parameters "Script Name", "URL","ARRAY","Version","True/False" (True loads in the Header, and False in the Footer)...

Add_action part is a hook to attach this to the WordPress. It is self explanatory, you need it in order to make the function work. It says wp_enqueue_scripts from function 'theme_name_scripts' or the function name..

Best of luck, if you need more help try Googleing "WordPress, enqueue Scripts tutorial"