What is the difference between WP_Query, get_posts() and query_posts()?

Method	What it does	Use?
WP_Query	Class. Makes a new query object, and gives you the loop, pagination and many properties	Yes, for custom loops
get_posts()	Function. Returns a simple array of posts. No loop setup, no pagination	Yes, for simple lists
query_posts()	Replaces the main query, and breaks pagination and conditional tags	No, never
pre_get_posts	Hook. Changes the main query before it runs	Yes, for the main query

// get_posts(): an array of post objects, no loop setup
$posts = get_posts( array( 'posts_per_page' => 2, 'post_type' => 'post' ) );
foreach ( $posts as $p ) {
	echo $p->ID . ' ' . $p->post_title . "\n";
}

// WP_Query: a loop with the helper methods
$q = new WP_Query( array( 'posts_per_page' => 2 ) );
echo 'Total found: ' . $q->found_posts . ', pages: ' . $q->max_num_pages;

get_posts() also sets suppress_filters to true by default, so some plugin filters do not run. To change the main query use pre_get_posts, see WP_Query.

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