How to insert a block into a node or template in Drupal 7?

Question

In Drupal 6, it was easy to insert a block into a template with the following code:

$block = module_invoke(\'views\', \'block\', \'view\', \'block_name\');
print         


        

Answer 1

In my search to include a block in a template, i came across this post.

As an addition, if you want to include a custom block (that you added through the block interface) you have to use (instead of block_load(); in drupal 7)

$block = block_get_custom_block($bid);
$content = $block['body'];

Answer 2

With wrburgess's answer you may get an error if your server is using a newer version of PHP.

Strict warning: Only variables should be passed by reference in include()...

This is what I did to not cause/get rid of the error.

  <?php
    $blockObject = block_load('views', 'block_name');
    $block = _block_get_renderable_array(_block_render_blocks(array($blockObject)));
    $output = drupal_render($block);
    print $output;
  ?>

Answer 3

There's module called insert_block for those which want to insert block "Drupal way" (not to program anything, just enable the module). Here's how to set it up.

NOTE: I know this question is about "programmatically inserting a block into a template or node" but Google sends people here even their are looking for non-programmer solution like me.