Template

1. Template

A template in MediaWiki is a pre-saved page that can be included (transcluded) into other pages, allowing for consistent formatting and content across a wiki. Templates are a fundamental building block for creating a well-organized and maintainable wiki. They are incredibly powerful for reducing repetitive work, ensuring consistency, and making global changes easier. This article will provide a comprehensive guide to templates, geared towards beginners, covering their creation, usage, parameters, and best practices.

== What are Templates and Why Use Them?

Imagine you want to display a standardized information box on multiple pages about, for example, different technical analysis indicators. Instead of copying and pasting the same HTML/wiki code onto each page, you can create a template. This template contains the structure of the box, and you simply *include* it on each relevant page.

Here's why templates are useful:

• **Consistency:** Templates enforce a consistent look and feel across your wiki. This is crucial for professionalism and readability. A consistent presentation of Fibonacci retracements, for example, builds user confidence.
• **Reduced Redundancy:** Avoid repetitive typing. If you need to change something in the information box, you only need to edit the template, and the changes will automatically be reflected on all pages where the template is used. This significantly reduces the risk of errors and saves time. Consider a change in the definition of a candlestick pattern; updating the template is far more efficient than editing dozens of pages.
• **Maintainability:** Centralized editing makes maintenance much easier. It's far simpler to debug and update a single template than to track down and modify the same code across multiple pages.
• **Reusability:** Templates can be reused across different sections of the wiki, making them a valuable asset. A template for a standard disclaimer can be used on every page related to trading strategies.
• **Complexity Management:** Templates can encapsulate complex structures, making pages easier to read and edit. They can handle intricate formatting or calculations, presenting the results in a simplified way. For instance, a template calculating risk/reward ratios could hide the underlying formula.

== Creating a Template

1. **Naming:** Template names start with the prefix `Template:`. For example, if you're creating a template for displaying information about trading indicators, you might name it `Template:TradingIndicator`. Good naming conventions are essential for organization; use descriptive names that clearly indicate the template's purpose. 2. **Creating the Page:** Create a new page with the chosen template name. You can do this by typing `Template:TradingIndicator` into the search box and clicking "Create the page" if it doesn't exist. 3. **Writing the Template Code:** Write the wiki code for your template on this page. This code will define the structure and content of the template. Let's create a simple template for displaying a trading indicator's information:

```wiki

 === Template ===
 * Description: {{{description}}}
 * Formula: {{{formula}}}
 * Usage: {{{usage}}}
 * Example: {{{example}}}

```

In this example:

* `

` creates a container with a CSS class for styling (styling is done in the wiki's CSS).

   *   `=== Template ===` displays the template name as a level 3 heading. `Template` is a magic word that automatically inserts the name of the *page where the template is used*, not the template itself.
   *   `{{{description}}}`, `{{{formula}}}`, `{{{usage}}}`, and `{{{example}}}` are template parameters. These are placeholders that will be replaced with values when the template is used. These parameters allow for customization.

== Using a Template (Transclusion)

To use a template on another page, use the following syntax:

```wiki Template:TradingIndicator ```

• `{{Template:TradingIndicator` starts the template inclusion.
• The lines `| description = ...`, `| formula = ...`, etc., define the values for the template parameters. The order of parameters doesn’t matter.
• `}}` closes the template inclusion.

When you save the page where you've included the template, MediaWiki will replace the template call with the content of the `Template:TradingIndicator` page, substituting the provided values for the parameters. The resulting output will be:

TradingIndicator

• Description: This indicator measures the momentum of price movements.
• Formula: RSI = 100 - (100 / (1 + RS)) where RS = Average Gain / Average Loss
• Usage: Identifying overbought and oversold conditions.
• Example: An RSI value above 70 suggests an overbought condition.

== Template Parameters

Template parameters are the key to making templates flexible and reusable. There are several types of parameters:

• **Unnamed Parameters:** These are specified in the order they are defined in the template. They are less common and harder to maintain.
• **Named Parameters:** These are specified with a name and a value, as shown in the example above (`| description = ...`). Named parameters are highly recommended because they are easier to understand and maintain.

• • Default Parameter Values:**

You can specify default values for parameters in the template. If a value is not provided when the template is used, the default value will be used. To do this, use the `default=` keyword:

```wiki A brief description of the indicator. ```

If the `description` parameter is not provided when using the template, "A brief description of the indicator." will be displayed. This is useful for providing helpful default text or setting common values. The use of defaults is crucial when describing complex strategies like scalping.

• • Parameter Validation:**

While MediaWiki doesn't have built-in parameter validation, you can use conditional statements (using `#if` parser functions) to check parameter values and display error messages or use default values if the provided value is invalid.

== Advanced Template Techniques

• **Parser Functions:** MediaWiki provides a rich set of parser functions that can be used within templates to perform calculations, manipulate strings, and control the flow of logic. Examples include `#if`, `#switch`, `#expr`, and `#time`. These are vital for templates displaying dynamic data, such as calculating Bollinger Band widths.
• **Template Loops:** Using `#loop` or `#recurse`, you can create templates that iterate over lists or data structures. This is useful for generating tables or lists of items.
• **Template Includes:** You can include other templates within a template using the `Template:...` syntax. This allows you to build complex templates from smaller, reusable components. For example, a complex Elliott Wave analysis template might include a template for displaying individual wave patterns.
• **TemplateData:** TemplateData is a JSON format that describes the parameters of a template. It allows the wiki's editor to provide a user-friendly interface for editing templates, with parameter names, descriptions, and default values. This is particularly useful for complex templates.
• **Hidden Categories:** Templates can be used to add pages to hidden categories, which are used for maintenance and organization. This can be useful for tracking pages that use a particular template.

== Template Best Practices

• **Documentation:** Document your templates clearly. Explain what the template does, what parameters it accepts, and how to use it. Create a dedicated documentation subpage (e.g., `Template:TradingIndicator/doc`).
• **Keep it Simple:** Avoid unnecessary complexity. Break down complex templates into smaller, more manageable components.
• **Use Named Parameters:** Always use named parameters for clarity and maintainability.
• **Provide Default Values:** Set reasonable default values for parameters to make the template easier to use.
• **Test Thoroughly:** Test your templates thoroughly before deploying them to ensure they work as expected. Test with different parameter values and edge cases.
• **CSS Styling:** Utilize CSS classes for styling templates. This separates presentation from content, making it easier to maintain the wiki's look and feel.
• **Avoid Excessive Transclusion:** While templates are powerful, avoid excessive transclusion (including the same template too many times on a single page), as it can impact performance.
• **Consider Using Modules:** For very complex logic or data manipulation, consider using Modules instead of templates. Modules are written in Lua and offer more flexibility and performance. Modules can be used to calculate complex support and resistance levels.

== Common Mistakes to Avoid

• **Forgetting the `Template:` Prefix:** Always remember to prefix your template names with `Template:`.
• **Incorrect Parameter Syntax:** Double-check the syntax of your parameters (`{{{parameter}}}`, `| parameter = value`).
• **Not Documenting the Template:** A well-documented template is much easier to use and maintain.
• **Overly Complex Templates:** Break down complex templates into smaller, more manageable components.
• **Ignoring Performance:** Avoid excessive transclusion and consider using Modules for complex tasks.

== Related Pages

• Help:Templates
• Help:Parser functions
• Help:Modules
• Help:Categories
• Technical Analysis
• Trading strategy
• Candlestick pattern
• Fibonacci retracement
• Risk/Reward Ratio
• Elliott Wave

== Further Learning Resources

• **MediaWiki Templates Documentation:** [1]
• **Parser Functions Reference:** [2]
• **Lua Scripting in MediaWiki:** [3]
• **CSS Styling Guide:** [4]
• **TradingView Pine Script Documentation:** [5] (Useful for understanding indicator logic)
• **Investopedia - Technical Analysis:** [6]
• **Babypips - Forex Trading Education:** [7]
• **School of Pipsology:** [8]
• **DailyFX - Forex News and Analysis:** [9]
• **FXStreet - Forex News and Analysis:** [10]
• **Trading Economics - Economic Calendar:** [11]
• **Bloomberg Markets:** [12]
• **Reuters Markets:** [13]
• **StockCharts.com:** [14]
• **Ichimoku Cloud Explained:** [15]
• **MACD Indicator:** [16]
• **RSI Indicator:** [17]
• **Bollinger Bands:** [18]
• **Moving Averages:** [19]
• **Support and Resistance Levels:** [20]
• **Trend Lines:** [21]
• **Chart Patterns:** [22]
• **Head and Shoulders Pattern:** [23]
• **Double Top/Bottom:** [24]
• **Triple Top/Bottom:** [25]

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