get_metadata

 *
 * @since 2.9.0
 *
 * @see get_metadata_raw()
 * @see get_metadata_default()
 *
 * @param string $meta_type Type of object metadata is for. Accepts 'post', 'comment', 'term', 'user',
 *                          or any other object type with an associated meta table.
 * @param int    $object_id ID of the object metadata is for.
 * @param string $meta_key  Optional. Metadata key. If not specified, retrieve all metadata for
 *                          the specified object. Default empty.
 * @param bool   $single    Optional. If true, return only the first value of the specified meta_key.
 *                          This parameter has no effect if meta_key is not specified. Default false.
 * @return mixed Single metadata value, or array of values.
 *               False if there's a problem with the parameters passed to the function.
 */
function get_metadata( $meta_type, $object_id, $meta_key = '', $single = false ) {
	$value = get_metadata_raw( $meta_type, $object_id, $meta_key, $single );
	if ( ! is_null( $value ) ) {
		return $value;
	}

	return get_metadata_default( $meta_type, $object_id, $meta_key, $single );
}

/**
 * Retrieves raw metadata value for the specified object.
 *
 * @since 5.5.0
 *
 * @param string $meta_type Type of object metadata is for. Accepts 'post', 'comment', 'term', 'user',
 *                          or any other object type with an associated meta table.
 * @param int    $object_id ID of the object metadata is for.
 * @param string $meta_key  Optional. Metadata key. If not specified, retrieve all metadata for
 *                          the specified object. Default empty.
 * @param bool   $single    Optional. If true, return only the first value of the specified meta_key.
 *                          This parameter has no effect if meta_key is not specified. Default false.
 * @return mixed Single metadata value, or array of values. Null if the value does not exist.
 *               False if there's a problem with the parameters passed to the function.
 */
function get_metadata_raw( $meta_type, $object_id, $meta_key = '', $single = false ) {
	if ( ! $meta_type || ! is_numeric( $object_id ) ) {
		return false;
	}

	$object_id = absint( $object_id );
	if ( ! $object_id ) {
		return false;
	}

	/**
	 * Short-circuits the return value of a meta field.
	 *
	 * The dynamic portion of the hook, `$meta_type`, refers to the meta object type
	 * (post, comment, term, user, or any other type with an associated meta table).
	 * Returning a non-null value will effectively short-circuit the function.
	 *
	 * Possible filter names include:
	 *
	 *  - `get_post_metadata`
	 *  - `get_comment_metadata`
	 *  - `get_term_metadata`
	 *  - `get_user_metadata`