Template:SeeAlso

Template:SeeAlso – A Comprehensive Guide for Beginners

This article provides a detailed guide to understanding and utilizing the `Template:SeeAlso` within the MediaWiki environment (version 1.40 and compatible). It is geared towards beginners with little to no prior experience with MediaWiki templates. We will cover its purpose, syntax, usage, customization, best practices, common issues, and related templates. This guide will also integrate concepts from Technical Analysis, Trading Strategies, and Market Trends to provide practical examples within a financial context, demonstrating how `SeeAlso` can enhance knowledge organization in such articles.

What is Template:SeeAlso?

The `Template:SeeAlso` is a pre-defined layout within a MediaWiki installation designed to create a standardized "See Also" section at the end of an article. Its primary function is to provide readers with links to related articles within the wiki, encouraging further exploration and a more comprehensive understanding of the topic at hand. Instead of manually formatting each "See Also" section, the template ensures consistency in appearance and structure across the entire wiki. This is crucial for maintaining a professional and user-friendly experience. It's a powerful tool for improving Information Architecture within the wiki.

Think of it like adding a curated list of related reading at the end of a chapter in a book. It helps readers delve deeper into concepts they found interesting or need further clarification on. In the context of financial markets, this could be linking from an article on Candlestick Patterns to articles on Bollinger Bands, Moving Averages, and Fibonacci Retracements.

Why Use a Template?

Using templates like `SeeAlso` offers several advantages over manually creating "See Also" sections:

**Consistency:** Ensures all "See Also" sections have a uniform appearance.
**Maintainability:** If you need to change the style of all "See Also" sections, you only need to modify the template itself, not every individual article. This is paramount for large wikis.
**Efficiency:** Saves time and effort by providing a pre-built structure.
**Reduced Errors:** Minimizes the risk of typos or inconsistencies in formatting.
**Centralized Control:** Template changes are centrally managed, ensuring site-wide updates are applied correctly. This is especially important when adhering to Brand Guidelines for the wiki.

Basic Syntax

The basic syntax for using the `Template:SeeAlso` is relatively straightforward. It typically involves wrapping a list of wiki links within the template's tags. The exact syntax may vary slightly depending on the specific implementation within your MediaWiki installation, but the core principle remains the same.

Here’s a typical example:

```wiki {{SeeAlso

}} ```

This code will render a "See Also" section with a heading (usually "See Also" or a similar phrase) and a bulleted list of links to the specified articles. The links will be displayed in a consistent format defined by the template's underlying code.

Understanding the Template Code (For Advanced Users)

While you don’t *need* to understand the template code to *use* the template, knowing a little about it can be helpful for customization (if permitted). Templates are generally written in a combination of Wiki markup and, often, parser functions. The `SeeAlso` template usually consists of:

**Heading:** Defines the section title (e.g., "See Also").
**List Formatting:** Uses wiki list syntax (`*`, `##`, etc.) to create the bulleted or numbered list of links.
**Looping/Iteration (Optional):** More complex templates might use parser functions to loop through a list of links provided as a parameter.
**Conditional Statements (Optional):** Some templates may include conditional logic to display different content based on certain criteria.
**CSS Classes:** Applies CSS classes to control the visual appearance of the section. These classes are defined in the wiki's stylesheet.

You can view the source code of the `SeeAlso` template by navigating to its definition page (usually `Template:SeeAlso`). Be cautious when editing template code, as changes will affect all pages that use the template.

Customization (If Allowed)

In some MediaWiki installations, users may be allowed to customize the appearance or behavior of templates. However, this is often restricted to administrators or users with specific permissions. Customization options might include:

**Changing the Heading:** Modifying the text of the "See Also" heading.
**Adding Icons:** Including icons next to the links.
**Adjusting the List Style:** Changing the bullet style or using a numbered list instead.
**Adding a Description:** Including a brief description of each linked article.

If you wish to customize the template, consult your wiki's documentation or contact an administrator. Never directly edit a template unless you have the necessary permissions and understanding. Consider creating a new template based on the existing one instead of modifying the original. This protects the original template and allows for easier rollback if changes are problematic. Remember to adhere to the wiki’s Content Style Guide when making customizations.

Best Practices for Using Template:SeeAlso

To maximize the effectiveness of the `Template:SeeAlso`, follow these best practices:

**Relevance:** Only include links to articles that are genuinely related to the current topic. Avoid adding irrelevant or tangential links. Links should enhance understanding, not lead the reader astray.
**Specificity:** Choose links that address specific aspects of the topic. Avoid linking to overly broad or general articles.
**Completeness:** Ensure that the "See Also" section covers all major related topics. Consider what a reader might want to explore further after reading the article.
**Order:** Organize the links logically. You might group them by subtopic or order them alphabetically.
**Avoid Duplication:** Do not include the same link multiple times.
**Keep it Concise:** Limit the number of links to a reasonable amount (usually 5-10). A long list can be overwhelming.
**Consider Context:** If an article already extensively discusses a related topic, you may not need to include a link to that topic in the "See Also" section.
**Link to Existing Articles:** Ensure that all linked articles actually exist. Broken links detract from the user experience. Regularly check for and fix broken links using tools like the Special:BrokenLinks page.
**Maintain Consistency:** Follow the same guidelines for all "See Also" sections throughout the wiki. This contributes to a cohesive and professional appearance.

Common Issues and Troubleshooting

**Template Not Rendering:** If the template is not rendering correctly, ensure that you have entered the syntax correctly. Double-check for typos or missing tags. Also, verify that the template exists and is not protected from editing.
**Broken Links:** If a link in the "See Also" section is broken, edit the article and correct the link. You can use the "What links here" tool to identify all pages that link to the broken article.
**Incorrect Formatting:** If the formatting of the "See Also" section is incorrect, check the template code for errors. You may also need to clear your browser cache.
**Template Conflicts:** In rare cases, the `SeeAlso` template might conflict with other templates or extensions on the wiki. If this happens, consult an administrator.
**Excessive Links:** Too many links can clutter the page and reduce its readability. Prioritize the most relevant links.
**Irrelevant Links:** Links to unrelated topics confuse the reader and diminish the value of the "See Also" section.

Related Templates and Concepts

Several other MediaWiki templates and concepts are related to `Template:SeeAlso`:

**Template:Navbox**: Used to create navigation boxes that provide links to a group of related articles. Often used for broader topic areas.
**Template:Sidebar**: Creates a sidebar with links to related articles, often used for navigation within a specific category.
****: Helps to identify articles with broken image or file links, which can indirectly affect the "See Also" section if the linked articles rely on those files.
**Help:Links**: Provides detailed information about creating and formatting links in MediaWiki.
**Help:Templates**: Offers a comprehensive overview of templates in MediaWiki.
**Parser Functions**: Allow for more advanced template logic and customization.
**CSS**: Used to control the visual appearance of templates and wiki pages.

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