MediaWiki documentation

MediaWiki Documentation: A Beginner's Guide

MediaWiki is the free and open-source wiki software that powers many websites, most notably Wikipedia. But beyond simply *using* a wiki, understanding its documentation is crucial for administrators, developers, and even advanced users who want to customize and extend its functionality. This article serves as a comprehensive guide to navigating, understanding, and utilizing MediaWiki documentation, catering specifically to beginners.

What is MediaWiki Documentation?

MediaWiki documentation is a vast repository of information encompassing all aspects of the software, from installation and configuration to template creation and API usage. It's not a single document, but rather a collection of pages, manuals, and help files, all interconnected and constantly updated by a dedicated community. Think of it as the central nervous system of MediaWiki, providing the knowledge needed to keep the software running smoothly and adapting to new needs. It's vital whether you're setting up a new wiki, troubleshooting an issue, developing an extension, or simply trying to understand a specific feature.

Where to Find MediaWiki Documentation

The primary source for MediaWiki documentation is the official MediaWiki website: [1]. However, navigating this site efficiently requires understanding its structure. Here’s a breakdown of the key areas:

**Manuals:** These are the cornerstone of MediaWiki documentation. There are several key manuals:

   * **Installation guide:** Details the process of installing MediaWiki on various servers and operating systems. This includes prerequisites, database setup, and initial configuration.
   * **Configuration guide:**  Explains how to customize MediaWiki’s behavior through its configuration file (LocalSettings.php). This covers everything from site name and language to extensions and security settings. Understanding the Configuration settings is paramount.
   * **User’s guide:** Focuses on how users interact with the wiki, covering editing, creating pages, managing their accounts, and using various features.
   * **Administrator's guide:**  Provides guidance for managing a wiki, including user rights, page protection, blocking users, and dealing with vandalism.
   * **Developer’s guide:**  Aimed at programmers, this manual details the MediaWiki API, how to create extensions, and how to modify the core code.

**Help Pages:** These are often more concise and task-oriented than the manuals. They provide quick answers to specific questions. They are typically accessed through the "Help:" namespace within your wiki install (e.g., Help:Contents).
**API Documentation:** Essential for developers who want to interact with MediaWiki programmatically. The API allows you to read and write data to the wiki, automate tasks, and integrate with other applications. See API:Main page for more information.
**Extension Documentation:** Each extension has its own documentation page, detailing its features, configuration options, and usage instructions. You can find extensions at [2].
**MediaWiki.org Wiki:** The MediaWiki.org website *itself* is a valuable resource. It contains articles, discussions, and tutorials on a wide range of topics related to MediaWiki. The MediaWiki.org site is constantly updated with new information from the community.
**Community Forums:** The MediaWiki forums ([3]) are a great place to ask questions and get help from experienced users.

Understanding the Documentation Structure

MediaWiki documentation follows a hierarchical structure. Manuals are divided into chapters, sections, and subsections. Help pages are often organized by topic. Extension documentation is typically structured around features and configuration options.

Pay attention to the following elements:

**Namespaces:** MediaWiki uses namespaces to categorize pages. Important namespaces include:

   * **Main:** The main content pages of your wiki.
   * **Help:** Help pages for users.
   * **Project:** Pages about the wiki itself (e.g., policies, guidelines).
   * **Template:** Pages containing reusable templates.
   * **Media:** Pages containing media files (images, videos, etc.).

**Transclusion:** A powerful feature that allows you to include the contents of one page into another. This is used extensively in MediaWiki documentation to create reusable content and maintain consistency. Understanding Transclusion syntax is critical.
**Categories:** Pages are categorized to make them easier to find. Categories are indicated by square brackets (e.g., ).
**Internal Links:** Links to other pages within the wiki. These are created using double square brackets (e.g., Main Page).
**External Links:** Links to websites outside the wiki. These are created using square brackets followed by a URL (e.g., [4]).

Key Documentation Areas for Beginners

For someone new to MediaWiki, these areas are particularly important:

**Installation:** Successfully installing MediaWiki is the first hurdle. Carefully follow the Installation guide for your specific server environment.
**Configuration:** The `LocalSettings.php` file is the heart of MediaWiki configuration. Understand the key settings, such as `$wgSitename`, `$wgServer`, and `$wgDBtype`. Pay close attention to security settings.
**Basic Editing:** Learn the basic wiki markup syntax. This includes formatting text (bold, italics, headings), creating lists, adding links, and inserting images. The Help:Editing page is a great starting point.
**User Management:** Understand how to create and manage user accounts, assign user rights, and control access to different parts of the wiki. The User rights management section of the Administrator's guide is helpful.
**Page Management:** Learn how to create, edit, move, and delete pages. Understand the concepts of page history and revisions.
**Extensions:** Extensions are a powerful way to add new features to your wiki. Explore the Extension directory and learn how to install and configure extensions.

Advanced Documentation Topics

As you become more comfortable with MediaWiki, you can explore these advanced topics:

**Templates:** Templates allow you to create reusable content blocks. They are essential for maintaining consistency and simplifying complex tasks. Learn about Template creation and usage.
**Modules:** Modules are a more advanced way to extend MediaWiki’s functionality. They allow you to write custom PHP code that interacts with the wiki.
**Hooks:** Hooks allow you to intercept and modify MediaWiki’s behavior at various points in the execution process.
**Skins:** Skins control the visual appearance of your wiki. You can customize existing skins or create your own.
**API Usage:** The MediaWiki API allows you to interact with the wiki programmatically. This is useful for automating tasks, creating custom tools, and integrating with other applications.
**Database Schema:** Understanding the MediaWiki database schema can be helpful for advanced troubleshooting and customization.

Strategies for Effective Documentation Use

**Start with the Official Documentation:** Always refer to the official MediaWiki documentation as your primary source of information.
**Use the Search Function:** The search function on MediaWiki.org is a powerful tool for finding specific information.
**Read the Release Notes:** Before upgrading MediaWiki, read the release notes to understand the changes and potential compatibility issues.
**Experiment and Test:** Don’t be afraid to experiment with different settings and features. Create a test wiki to avoid disrupting your live site.
**Ask for Help:** If you get stuck, don’t hesitate to ask for help on the MediaWiki forums or other online communities.
**Contribute Back:** If you find errors or omissions in the documentation, consider contributing back to the community by submitting corrections or improvements.

Troubleshooting Common Documentation Issues

**Outdated Documentation:** MediaWiki is constantly evolving, so some documentation may become outdated. Check the revision history of the page to see if it has been updated recently. Look for alternative sources of information, such as community forums.
**Confusing Language:** Some documentation can be technical and difficult to understand. Try to break down the information into smaller chunks and focus on the key concepts.
**Missing Information:** Sometimes, documentation may be incomplete or missing information. Search for alternative sources of information or ask for help on the forums.
**Version Specificity:** Ensure that the documentation you are reading applies to your version of MediaWiki. Different versions may have different features and configuration options.

Staying Updated with MediaWiki Developments

The world of MediaWiki is dynamic. Here are resources to stay informed:

**MediaWiki Release Schedule:** Track upcoming releases and features: [5].
**Wikimedia Blog:** News and updates from the Wikimedia Foundation: [6].
**MediaWiki Mailing Lists:** Subscribe to relevant mailing lists for announcements and discussions: [7].
**Social Media:** Follow MediaWiki-related accounts on Twitter and other social media platforms.

Technical Analysis Resources (Related to Wiki Data & Usage)

While not directly *MediaWiki* documentation, understanding data analysis of your wiki can be helpful.

**Google Analytics:** Integrate with your wiki to track visitor behavior: [8].
**Wiki Statistics Extensions:** Extensions like "WikiStatistics" provide detailed usage data: [9].
**User Behavior Analysis Tools:** Tools to understand how users interact with the wiki: [10].
**Page View Tracking:** Monitor popular pages: [11].

Trading & Financial Resources (Unrelated to MediaWiki but included as requested)

These links are included solely to fulfill the prompt's requirement and have no relation to MediaWiki documentation. Consider them for informational purposes only and exercise caution.

**Technical Analysis Basics:** [12]
**Candlestick Patterns:** [13]
**Moving Averages:** [14]
**Fibonacci Retracements:** [15]
**Bollinger Bands:** [16]
**MACD Indicator:** [17]
**RSI Indicator:** [18]
**Trend Lines:** [19]
**Support and Resistance Levels:** [20]
**Chart Patterns:** [21]
**Elliott Wave Theory:** [22]
**Trading Psychology:** [23]
**Risk Management:** [24]
**Forex Trading Strategies:** [25]
**Options Trading Strategies:** [26]
**Day Trading:** [27]
**Swing Trading:** [28]
**Position Trading:** [29]
**Scalping:** [30]
**Market Sentiment Analysis:** [31]
**Economic Indicators:** [32]
**Fundamental Analysis:** [33]
**Technical Indicators Combinations:** [34]
**Trading View Platform:** [35]
**Trading Signals Services:** [36]

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