Accessing WordPress Customize Panel values

Question

Here is the code I'm using to add the section to the Customize Panel.

function apple_customize_register($wp_customize){
    $wp_customize->add_section('apple_footer', array(
        'title'    => 'Footer',
        'priority' => 120,
    ));
    //------ display copyright in footer
    $wp_customize->add_setting('theme_options[copyright]', array(
        'capability' => 'edit_theme_options',
        'type'       => 'option',
    ));
    $wp_customize->add_control('theme_options[copyright]', array(
        'settings' => 'theme_options[copyright]',
        'label'    => __('Display Copyright'),
        'section'  => 'apple_footer',
        'type'     => 'checkbox',
        'value' => '1'
    ));
}
add_action('customize_register', 'apple_customize_register');

I have tried get_option('theme_options[copyright]'), get_theme_mod('theme_options[copyright]') and many more, but all var_dump are returning bool(false).
How do I use the values in my theme?

Answer 1

That's because [copyright] is one of the values of an Array.
Get the theme options with get_option('theme_options'); And inside the result you'll find 'copyright'.

$options = get_option('theme_options');
echo $options['copyright'];

This is how you store a big number of options inside a single record in the database (the recommended way). If you visit the page http://example.com/wp-admin/options.php, you'll see all records in wp_options table. Some plugins and themes use one record per option, the result is not pretty.

If you add another control to the Customizer, register as theme_options['OTHER_CUSTOM_SETTING']. Remember to change theme_options for your theme's slug.