BBCode

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  1. BBCode

BBCode (Bulletin Board Code) is a lightweight markup language used to format text in various online forums, message boards, and, importantly for our context, some MediaWiki installations. While MediaWiki natively uses Wiki Markup, BBCode provides an alternative, often simpler, way to style text, create links, insert images, and more. This article aims to provide a comprehensive introduction to BBCode for beginners, outlining its key tags, functionality, and how it differs from Wiki Markup. Understanding BBCode is crucial if you encounter a wiki or forum that employs it, or if you wish to integrate BBCode-formatted content into a MediaWiki page (though conversion is often required).

History and Context

BBCode emerged in the late 1990s as a user-friendly alternative to HTML for formatting posts on early internet forums. HTML, while powerful, required users to learn often complex tag structures. BBCode simplified this process by offering a more intuitive and limited set of tags. It gained popularity due to its ease of use and relatively low overhead, making it suitable for platforms where users were not expected to be proficient in web development languages. While MediaWiki predominantly uses its own markup, some extensions or configurations may allow BBCode input, often converting it to Wiki Markup server-side.

Basic BBCode Tags

The core of BBCode lies in its tags, which are enclosed in square brackets `[]`. Most tags come in pairs: an opening tag and a closing tag. The closing tag is identical to the opening tag but preceded by a forward slash `/`. Here's a breakdown of the most common and useful BBCode tags:

  • Bold Text: `[b]This text will be bold.[/b]` renders as This text will be bold. Equivalent to Wiki Markup's bold text.
  • Italic Text: `[i]This text will be italic.[/i]` renders as *This text will be italic.* Equivalent to Wiki Markup's italic text.
  • Underlined Text: `[u]This text will be underlined.[/u]` renders as This text will be underlined.. Note: underlining is often discouraged for accessibility reasons as it can be confused with links.
  • Strikethrough Text: `[s]This text will have a strikethrough.[/s]` renders as This text will have a strikethrough..
  • Color Text: `[color=red]This text will be red.[/color]` renders as This text will be red. The color can be specified by name (e.g., red, blue, green) or by hexadecimal code (e.g., #FF0000).
  • Size Text: `[size=200]This text will be larger.[/size]` renders as This text will be larger. The size is typically expressed as a percentage.
  • Font Text: `[font=Arial]This text will be in Arial font.[/font]` renders as This text will be in Arial font. Font availability depends on the user's system.

Lists in BBCode

BBCode supports both ordered and unordered lists:

  • Unordered List:

```bbcode [list] [*]Item 1 [*]Item 2 [*]Item 3 [/list] ``` renders as:

  • Item 1
  • Item 2
  • Item 3
  • Ordered List:

```bbcode [list=1] [*]Item 1 [*]Item 2 [*]Item 3 [/list] ``` renders as: 1. Item 1 2. Item 2 3. Item 3

The `[list=1]` tag starts the list with the number 1. You can change the starting number as needed.

Links and Images

Quotes and Code

  • Quotes: `[quote]This is a quoted text.[/quote]` renders as:

> This is a quoted text.

  • Code: `[code]This is code.[/code]` renders as:

``` This is code. ```

The `[code]` tag is useful for displaying snippets of code or pre-formatted text. For more complex code blocks, consider using the `[source]` tag, if supported by the BBCode implementation. See also Help:Formatting code.

Advanced BBCode Features (Implementation Dependent)

The following features are not universally supported across all BBCode implementations. Their availability depends on the specific forum or wiki using BBCode.

  • Tables: Some BBCode versions support creating tables, though the syntax can be complex.
  • Spoilers: `[spoiler]Hidden content[/spoiler]` hides content until clicked.
  • Alignment: `[align=center]This text is centered.[/align]` aligns text to the left, center, or right.
  • Email Protection: `[email protected]user@example.com[/email]` obfuscates email addresses to prevent spam bots from harvesting them.
  • Horizontal Rule: `[hr]` creates a horizontal line.

BBCode vs. Wiki Markup

While both BBCode and Wiki Markup serve the purpose of formatting text, they differ significantly in their syntax and capabilities.

| Feature | BBCode | Wiki Markup | |---|---|---| | **Tag Style** | Square brackets `[]` | Double brackets `[[ ]]` or single brackets `'` | | **Complexity** | Generally simpler | More powerful and flexible | | **Learning Curve** | Easier to learn | Steeper learning curve | | **Extensibility** | Limited | Highly extensible through extensions | | **Native MediaWiki Support** | Requires conversion | Native support | | **Links** | `[url]` | `URL` | | **Bold Text** | `[b]` | `` | | **Italic Text** | `[i]` | `` |

| **Images** | `[img]` | `

File:Image.jpg

` |

Wiki Markup, being the native language of MediaWiki, offers far greater control over page layout, templates, and complex formatting. BBCode is typically used when integrating content from external sources or when a simpler formatting language is desired. Help:Contents provides a comprehensive guide to MediaWiki's Wiki Markup.

BBCode in MediaWiki

MediaWiki does *not* natively support BBCode. However, several extensions can be installed to enable BBCode parsing. These extensions typically convert BBCode to Wiki Markup upon saving the page. Popular extensions include:

  • BBCode extension: This extension provides basic BBCode parsing.
  • Advanced BBCode extension: Offers more advanced features and customization options.

If you are an administrator, you can install these extensions through the Special:Extensions page. Users simply need to enter BBCode-formatted text, and the extension will handle the conversion. However, it's important to note that conversion may not be perfect, and some BBCode tags may not be supported. Always review the converted Wiki Markup to ensure it renders as intended. Refer to Manual:Configuration settings for extension installation details.

Troubleshooting BBCode Issues

  • Tags not rendering: Ensure that BBCode support is enabled on the platform you are using. If using a MediaWiki extension, verify that it is installed and configured correctly.
  • Incorrect formatting: Double-check your tag syntax. Make sure opening and closing tags are properly matched.
  • Unsupported tags: The specific BBCode implementation may not support certain tags. Refer to the documentation for the platform you are using.
  • Conversion errors (in MediaWiki): If using a BBCode-to-Wiki Markup extension, the conversion process may introduce errors. Manually edit the Wiki Markup to correct any issues. Help:Editing provides guidance on editing pages.

Best Practices

  • Keep it simple: Avoid using excessive or unnecessary BBCode tags.
  • Test your formatting: Preview your post or page to ensure that the formatting renders as expected.
  • Accessibility: Be mindful of accessibility when using BBCode. Avoid using underlining for links, as it can be confusing for users with visual impairments.
  • Consistency: Maintain a consistent formatting style throughout your content.
  • Understand the limitations: Be aware of the limitations of BBCode and choose the appropriate formatting language for your needs. For complex formatting, Wiki Markup is generally preferred. Consider learning Help:Templates for advanced formatting options.

Resources for Further Learning

Help:Formatting Help:Links Manual:Configuration settings Help:Editing Help:Templates Special:Extensions Help:Contents


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