Proper way to include PHP files in Wordpress theme -

i trying develop wordpress theme requires lot of php functions , custom classes.

i wondering best practice including additional php files within worpdress. example: list every file include using:

• include();
• require_once()
• etc

when review other developers themes, never stumble across batch of "include() statements, believe must missing standard method of performing these includes.

thanks in advance :)

you can follow method. suggest use require include file.

_s ( aka underscores ) theme starter kit , default themes of wordpress such twentyfourteen, twentythirteen, etc using require include files.

see sample code used in tweentyfourteen theme.

require get_template_directory() . '/inc/template-tags.php';