I'm new to creating wordpress themes I'm using the latest version. I've created the following so far : header.php top part of the site main.php the homepage content area / widget area's footer.php footer content css/style.css I want to have a static homepage with the latest content and have a main2.php for the article / pages them selves. I'm not to sure about the index.php and getting them to work along side main.php and main2.php. can anyone help?
Have you consulted the Codex? Sounds like you are winging it: http://codex.wordpress.org/Theme_Development
I actually got it working by using this in the index file It actually worked out better for what I was trying to do.
I think this should help you you can do this in wp settings wpadmin>settings>reading> set it to static page
Allows a theme or plugin to register support of a certain theme feature. If called from a theme, it should be done in the theme's functions.php file to work. It can also be called from a plugin if attached to a hook. If attached to a hook, it must be after_setup_theme. The init hook may be too late for some features.
take a look how the default themes are built up. Their basic php files for home, index, page, single, loop, and so on. After you studied them a while you understand their layout. And you are able to change it. If you want. If a change fits your theme better. Nothing is written in stone.