How to only display thumbnail for first post of Category

Question

I have this code to show all post of category and thumbnail of them.

---

<?php $recent = new WP_Query(); ?>
<?php $recent->query('cat=1&showposts=5'); ?>
<?php while($recent->have_posts()) : $recent->the_post(); ?>
<ul>
    <li>
            <a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>">
            <?php the_title(); ?>
            </a>
       </li>
</ul>
<?php endwhile; ?>

---

But now I only want show thumbnail for first post of category. clearly,ex Category have 4 post, I show 4 post but only first post have thumbnail,3 posts remain only have title and permalink

Answer 1

Add the_post_thumbnail to your output and include a $postNumber to track what number post you're on. Then, with an if statement, you can include the_post_thumbnail call. If you want to include it on the first 2, change the if to $postNumber <= 2

<?php $recent = new WP_Query(); 
<?php $recent->query('cat=1&showposts=5'); ?>
<?php $postNumber = 1; ?>
<?php while($recent->have_posts()) : $recent->the_post(); ?>
<ul>
    <li>
            <a href="<?php the_permalink(); ?>">
            <?php 
                if($postNumber<=1){
                    the_post_thumbnail();
                }
                $postNumber++;
             ?> 
            <?php the_title(); ?>
            </a>
       </li>
</ul>
<?php endwhile; ?>