Template:Infobox organization is a standardized MediaWiki template used to present a concise summary of essential information about an organization at the top of an article. It’s a crucial component of many Wikipedia articles, providing readers with a quick overview of key facts before they delve into the detailed text. This article provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on how to use and understand this template. It will cover its purpose, structure, common parameters, advanced usage, troubleshooting, and best practices.
The primary goal of the Infobox organization template is to enhance readability and provide a structured presentation of organizational data. It offers several benefits:
Consistency: Ensures a uniform appearance across articles about different organizations, making information easier to locate.
Quick Overview: Allows readers to quickly grasp the essential facts about an organization without reading the entire article.
Navigation: Can include links to the organization's website, official social media pages, and related articles, aiding in further exploration.
Visual Appeal: Adds a visual element to the article, breaking up large blocks of text and making the page more engaging.
Data Standardization: Encourages the use of standardized data, which can be useful for data mining and other analytical purposes. This is especially important when comparing organizations.
Basic Structure and Syntax
The template is implemented using the following basic syntax:
Template:Infobox organization is a standardized MediaWiki template used to present a concise summary of essential information about an organization at the top of an article. It’s a crucial component of many Wikipedia articles, providing readers with a quick overview of key facts before they delve into the detailed text. This article provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on how to use and understand this template. It will cover its purpose, structure, common parameters, advanced usage, troubleshooting, and best practices.
Purpose and Benefits
The primary goal of the Infobox organization template is to enhance readability and provide a structured presentation of organizational data. It offers several benefits:
Consistency: Ensures a uniform appearance across articles about different organizations, making information easier to locate.
Quick Overview: Allows readers to quickly grasp the essential facts about an organization without reading the entire article.
Navigation: Can include links to the organization's website, official social media pages, and related articles, aiding in further exploration.
Visual Appeal: Adds a visual element to the article, breaking up large blocks of text and making the page more engaging.
Data Standardization: Encourages the use of standardized data, which can be useful for data mining and other analytical purposes. This is especially important when comparing organizations.
Basic Structure and Syntax
The template is implemented using the following basic syntax:
Each line represents a parameter-value pair. The parameter name is followed by an equals sign (=), and then the corresponding value. Values can be plain text, links, images, or other valid MediaWiki markup. Whitespace around the equals sign is generally ignored, but it's good practice to maintain consistent formatting for readability.
Common Parameters
The Infobox organization template offers a wide array of parameters. Here's a breakdown of the most commonly used ones:
name: (Required) The official name of the organization.
image: The filename of an image to display in the infobox. Use File:Example.pngCaption to control size and add a caption.
caption: A caption for the image.
logo: Specifically for the organization's logo. Often used in conjunction with or instead of 'image'.
logo_size: Allows controlling the size of the logo.
alt: Alternative text for the image, important for accessibility.
homepage: The URL of the organization's official website. This will be displayed as a link.
established: The date the organization was founded, established, or incorporated. Use the Date format (e.g.,
Template:Start date
Template:Start date is a MediaWiki template designed to display a date in a standardized, human-readable format, particularly useful for indicating the start date of events, projects, or periods within a wiki. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding, using, and customizing the `Template:Start date` template for beginners. It will cover its purpose, parameters, examples, potential issues, and related templates. This template is invaluable for maintaining consistency when documenting timelines and historical data.
Purpose
The primary purpose of `Template:Start date` is to consistently format dates across a wiki. Without a standardized template, dates might appear in various formats (e.g., January 1, 2023, 1/1/2023, 2023-01-01), leading to visual clutter and potential confusion. This template ensures that all start dates are displayed in a uniform manner, enhancing readability and professionalism. It’s particularly useful for projects that involve tracking timelines, historical events, or scheduled activities. Effective date formatting is crucial for data integrity and usability, especially when dealing with Time series analysis.
Basic Usage
The simplest way to use the template is to provide a date in YYYY-MM-DD format. The template will then automatically format it into a more readable format, typically "January 1, 2023".
The `Template:Start date` template accepts several parameters to customize the output. Here's a breakdown of each parameter:
1 (Date): This is the *required* parameter. It represents the start date in YYYY-MM-DD format. For example, `2023-12-25` represents December 25, 2023. Incorrectly formatted dates will likely result in errors or unexpected output.
format: (Optional) This parameter allows you to specify a custom date format using PHP's `date()` function format codes. This provides a high degree of flexibility. For example, `format=d.m.Y` would output "25.12.2023". Refer to the PHP date() function documentation for a complete list of format codes. Using custom formats requires a good understanding of these codes.
month: (Optional) This parameter allows you to explicitly specify the month name. This is useful if you want to override the template's automatic month detection, perhaps for localization or specific stylistic requirements. Accepts the month name as a string (e.g., `month=December`).
day: (Optional) This parameter allows you to explicitly specify the day of the month. Similar to 'month', this overrides the template's automatic day detection. Accepts the day as a string (e.g., `day=25`).
year: (Optional) This parameter allows you to explicitly specify the year. Overrides the template's automatic year detection. Accepts the year as a string (e.g., `year=2023`).
hideyear: (Optional) A boolean parameter (true/false) that controls whether the year is displayed. If set to `true`, the year will be omitted. Default is `false` (year is displayed). Example: `hideyear=true`. This can be useful when the context clearly implies the year.
showfullmonth: (Optional) A boolean parameter (true/false) that determines whether the full month name is displayed. If set to `true`, "January" will be displayed instead of "Jan". Default is `false`. Example: `showfullmonth=true`.
link: (Optional) A boolean parameter (true/false) that determines whether the date is linked to a corresponding page (e.g., a page for that specific date). Default is `false`. Example: `link=true`. This is helpful for creating navigable timelines.
separator: (Optional) Allows you to change the separator character between the day, month and year. Default is a comma and a space (", "). Example: `separator=.` will output the date with a period as a separator.
Examples
Here are some examples demonstrating how to use the template with different parameters:
Incorrect Date Format: The most common issue is providing the date in a format other than YYYY-MM-DD. Ensure the date is entered correctly.
Invalid Format Codes: If using the `format` parameter, ensure the format codes are valid PHP `date()` function codes. Incorrect codes will result in errors or unexpected output. Consult the PHP date() function documentation.
Missing Pages for Linked Dates: If the `link` parameter is set to `true`, but the corresponding date page does not exist, the output will be a red link. Create the page to resolve this.
Template Conflicts: Rarely, conflicts can occur if other templates or extensions modify the output of this template. If this happens, investigate the interaction between the templates and extensions.
Localization: The default output is in English. For wikis using other languages, consider using the `month` parameter to specify the month name in the desired language or exploring localization extensions. This is related to Localization strategies.
Related Templates
Several other templates complement `Template:Start date` and provide related functionality:
Template:End date: Displays an end date in a standardized format. Often used in conjunction with `Template:Start date` to define a period.
Template:Duration: Calculates and displays the duration between a start and end date.
Template:Date: A more general-purpose date formatting template, offering more options than `Template:Start date`.
Template:Now: Displays the current date and time.
Template:Age: Calculates and displays the age based on a birth date.
Template:Timeline: Creates visual timelines based on a series of dates.
Template:Event timeline: Similar to timeline, but optimized for event-based timelines.
Template:Year: Displays only the year from a given date.
Template:Month: Displays only the month from a given date.
Template:Day: Displays only the day from a given date.
Advanced Usage and Customization
For more advanced users, the `Template:Start date` template can be extended and customized through the use of parser functions and Lua modules. This allows for more complex date calculations, conditional formatting, and integration with other wiki features. For example, you could use parser functions to dynamically determine whether a date falls within a specific range or to display different text based on the date. This involves a deeper understanding of MediaWiki's template system and programming languages like Lua. Consider studying MediaWiki extension development for more complex customizations.
Best Practices
Consistency: Always use `Template:Start date` (or a similar standardized template) for all start dates in your wiki.
YYYY-MM-DD Format: Provide the date in YYYY-MM-DD format to ensure correct parsing.
Use Parameters Wisely: Only use the optional parameters when necessary to customize the output. Avoid unnecessary complexity.
Test Thoroughly: After making changes to the template or its usage, test thoroughly to ensure the output is as expected.
Document Your Changes: If you modify the template, document your changes clearly for future maintainers.
Consider Accessibility: Ensure the date format is accessible to users with disabilities. Use clear and concise language.
Understand Date Interpretation: Be mindful of regional differences in date interpretation (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY vs. DD/MM/YYYY) and choose a format that is unambiguous for your target audience. This is relevant to Global market analysis.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive:
✓ Daily trading signals
✓ Exclusive strategy analysis
✓ Market trend alerts
✓ Educational materials for beginners).
type: The type of organization (e.g., corporation, non-profit, government agency). Consider using existing categories.
industry: The industry the organization operates in. Link to relevant industry articles.
key_people: Lists key individuals associated with the organization (e.g., CEO, president, founder). Use a list format.
employees: The number of employees.
revenue: The organization's annual revenue. Include the currency and year (e.g., $1.2 billion (2022)). Consider financial analysis techniques when presenting this data.
operating_income: The organization’s operating income.
net_income: The organization's net income.
owner: The owner(s) of the organization (e.g., shareholders, parent company).
subsidiaries: A list of the organization's subsidiaries.
parent: The organization's parent company.
slogan: The organization's official slogan.
location: The headquarters location. Link to the relevant city or country article.
coordinates: Geographic coordinates of the headquarters. Use the Template:Coord template.
area_served: The geographic area the organization serves.
footnotes: Any notes or references related to the infobox data.
Advanced Usage and Parameters
Beyond the common parameters, the Infobox organization template supports several advanced options:
label1 – label10: Allows adding custom labels and values to the infobox. This is useful for displaying information that doesn't fit into the standard parameters.
data1 – data10: The corresponding values for the custom labels.
above: Content placed *above* the standard infobox content. Useful for introductory text or warnings.
below: Content placed *below* the standard infobox content. Useful for disclaimers or additional notes.
modules: Enables the use of modules to extend the functionality of the infobox. This is an advanced feature requiring programming knowledge.
style: Allows applying custom CSS styles to the infobox. Use with caution, as it can affect the overall appearance of the article.
Examples
Here's a simple example of an Infobox organization for a fictional company:
This example demonstrates the use of several common parameters. You can adapt it to fit the specific needs of the organization you're documenting.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Infobox not displaying correctly: Check for syntax errors, such as missing equals signs or incorrect parameter names. Use the MediaWiki preview feature to identify and correct errors.
Image not appearing: Ensure the image file exists on Wikimedia Commons or the local wiki and that the filename is correct. Verify the image license is appropriate.
Links not working: Double-check the URL for typos and ensure it's a valid link.
Infobox too wide: Reduce the size of the image or use fewer parameters. Consider using custom CSS to adjust the infobox width.
Date format errors: Use the Date template for consistent date formatting. Incorrect date formats can break the infobox.
Best Practices
Accuracy: Ensure all information in the infobox is accurate and verifiable. Cite reliable sources.
Conciseness: Keep the infobox concise and focused on essential facts. Avoid unnecessary details.
Consistency: Follow established conventions for formatting and parameter usage.
Completeness: Fill in as many relevant parameters as possible.
Neutrality: Present information in a neutral and objective tone. Avoid promotional language.
Accessibility: Provide alternative text for images and ensure the infobox is accessible to users with disabilities.
Use of Categories: Correctly categorize the article using relevant or related categories. This improves searchability and organization. Consider categories related to market capitalization, revenue growth, and profit margins.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive:
✓ Daily trading signals
✓ Exclusive strategy analysis
✓ Market trend alerts
✓ Educational materials for beginners
```
Each line represents a parameter-value pair. The parameter name is followed by an equals sign (=), and then the corresponding value. Values can be plain text, links, images, or other valid MediaWiki markup. Whitespace around the equals sign is generally ignored, but it's good practice to maintain consistent formatting for readability.
Common Parameters
The Infobox organization template offers a wide array of parameters. Here's a breakdown of the most commonly used ones:
name: (Required) The official name of the organization.
image: The filename of an image to display in the infobox. Use File:Example.pngCaption to control size and add a caption.
caption: A caption for the image.
logo: Specifically for the organization's logo. Often used in conjunction with or instead of 'image'.
logo_size: Allows controlling the size of the logo.
alt: Alternative text for the image, important for accessibility.
homepage: The URL of the organization's official website. This will be displayed as a link.
established: The date the organization was founded, established, or incorporated. Use the Date format (e.g.,
Template:Start date
Template:Start date is a MediaWiki template designed to display a date in a standardized, human-readable format, particularly useful for indicating the start date of events, projects, or periods within a wiki. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding, using, and customizing the `Template:Start date` template for beginners. It will cover its purpose, parameters, examples, potential issues, and related templates. This template is invaluable for maintaining consistency when documenting timelines and historical data.
Purpose
The primary purpose of `Template:Start date` is to consistently format dates across a wiki. Without a standardized template, dates might appear in various formats (e.g., January 1, 2023, 1/1/2023, 2023-01-01), leading to visual clutter and potential confusion. This template ensures that all start dates are displayed in a uniform manner, enhancing readability and professionalism. It’s particularly useful for projects that involve tracking timelines, historical events, or scheduled activities. Effective date formatting is crucial for data integrity and usability, especially when dealing with Time series analysis.
Basic Usage
The simplest way to use the template is to provide a date in YYYY-MM-DD format. The template will then automatically format it into a more readable format, typically "January 1, 2023".
The `Template:Start date` template accepts several parameters to customize the output. Here's a breakdown of each parameter:
1 (Date): This is the *required* parameter. It represents the start date in YYYY-MM-DD format. For example, `2023-12-25` represents December 25, 2023. Incorrectly formatted dates will likely result in errors or unexpected output.
format: (Optional) This parameter allows you to specify a custom date format using PHP's `date()` function format codes. This provides a high degree of flexibility. For example, `format=d.m.Y` would output "25.12.2023". Refer to the PHP date() function documentation for a complete list of format codes. Using custom formats requires a good understanding of these codes.
month: (Optional) This parameter allows you to explicitly specify the month name. This is useful if you want to override the template's automatic month detection, perhaps for localization or specific stylistic requirements. Accepts the month name as a string (e.g., `month=December`).
day: (Optional) This parameter allows you to explicitly specify the day of the month. Similar to 'month', this overrides the template's automatic day detection. Accepts the day as a string (e.g., `day=25`).
year: (Optional) This parameter allows you to explicitly specify the year. Overrides the template's automatic year detection. Accepts the year as a string (e.g., `year=2023`).
hideyear: (Optional) A boolean parameter (true/false) that controls whether the year is displayed. If set to `true`, the year will be omitted. Default is `false` (year is displayed). Example: `hideyear=true`. This can be useful when the context clearly implies the year.
showfullmonth: (Optional) A boolean parameter (true/false) that determines whether the full month name is displayed. If set to `true`, "January" will be displayed instead of "Jan". Default is `false`. Example: `showfullmonth=true`.
link: (Optional) A boolean parameter (true/false) that determines whether the date is linked to a corresponding page (e.g., a page for that specific date). Default is `false`. Example: `link=true`. This is helpful for creating navigable timelines.
separator: (Optional) Allows you to change the separator character between the day, month and year. Default is a comma and a space (", "). Example: `separator=.` will output the date with a period as a separator.
Examples
Here are some examples demonstrating how to use the template with different parameters:
Incorrect Date Format: The most common issue is providing the date in a format other than YYYY-MM-DD. Ensure the date is entered correctly.
Invalid Format Codes: If using the `format` parameter, ensure the format codes are valid PHP `date()` function codes. Incorrect codes will result in errors or unexpected output. Consult the PHP date() function documentation.
Missing Pages for Linked Dates: If the `link` parameter is set to `true`, but the corresponding date page does not exist, the output will be a red link. Create the page to resolve this.
Template Conflicts: Rarely, conflicts can occur if other templates or extensions modify the output of this template. If this happens, investigate the interaction between the templates and extensions.
Localization: The default output is in English. For wikis using other languages, consider using the `month` parameter to specify the month name in the desired language or exploring localization extensions. This is related to Localization strategies.
Related Templates
Several other templates complement `Template:Start date` and provide related functionality:
Template:End date: Displays an end date in a standardized format. Often used in conjunction with `Template:Start date` to define a period.
Template:Duration: Calculates and displays the duration between a start and end date.
Template:Date: A more general-purpose date formatting template, offering more options than `Template:Start date`.
Template:Now: Displays the current date and time.
Template:Age: Calculates and displays the age based on a birth date.
Template:Timeline: Creates visual timelines based on a series of dates.
Template:Event timeline: Similar to timeline, but optimized for event-based timelines.
Template:Year: Displays only the year from a given date.
Template:Month: Displays only the month from a given date.
Template:Day: Displays only the day from a given date.
Advanced Usage and Customization
For more advanced users, the `Template:Start date` template can be extended and customized through the use of parser functions and Lua modules. This allows for more complex date calculations, conditional formatting, and integration with other wiki features. For example, you could use parser functions to dynamically determine whether a date falls within a specific range or to display different text based on the date. This involves a deeper understanding of MediaWiki's template system and programming languages like Lua. Consider studying MediaWiki extension development for more complex customizations.
Best Practices
Consistency: Always use `Template:Start date` (or a similar standardized template) for all start dates in your wiki.
YYYY-MM-DD Format: Provide the date in YYYY-MM-DD format to ensure correct parsing.
Use Parameters Wisely: Only use the optional parameters when necessary to customize the output. Avoid unnecessary complexity.
Test Thoroughly: After making changes to the template or its usage, test thoroughly to ensure the output is as expected.
Document Your Changes: If you modify the template, document your changes clearly for future maintainers.
Consider Accessibility: Ensure the date format is accessible to users with disabilities. Use clear and concise language.
Understand Date Interpretation: Be mindful of regional differences in date interpretation (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY vs. DD/MM/YYYY) and choose a format that is unambiguous for your target audience. This is relevant to Global market analysis.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive:
✓ Daily trading signals
✓ Exclusive strategy analysis
✓ Market trend alerts
✓ Educational materials for beginners).
type: The type of organization (e.g., corporation, non-profit, government agency). Consider using existing categories.
industry: The industry the organization operates in. Link to relevant industry articles.
key_people: Lists key individuals associated with the organization (e.g., CEO, president, founder). Use a list format.
employees: The number of employees.
revenue: The organization's annual revenue. Include the currency and year (e.g., $1.2 billion (2022)). Consider financial analysis techniques when presenting this data.
operating_income: The organization’s operating income.
net_income: The organization's net income.
owner: The owner(s) of the organization (e.g., shareholders, parent company).
subsidiaries: A list of the organization's subsidiaries.
parent: The organization's parent company.
slogan: The organization's official slogan.
location: The headquarters location. Link to the relevant city or country article.
coordinates: Geographic coordinates of the headquarters. Use the Template:Coord template.
area_served: The geographic area the organization serves.
footnotes: Any notes or references related to the infobox data.
Advanced Usage and Parameters
Beyond the common parameters, the Infobox organization template supports several advanced options:
label1 – label10: Allows adding custom labels and values to the infobox. This is useful for displaying information that doesn't fit into the standard parameters.
data1 – data10: The corresponding values for the custom labels.
above: Content placed *above* the standard infobox content. Useful for introductory text or warnings.
below: Content placed *below* the standard infobox content. Useful for disclaimers or additional notes.
modules: Enables the use of modules to extend the functionality of the infobox. This is an advanced feature requiring programming knowledge.
style: Allows applying custom CSS styles to the infobox. Use with caution, as it can affect the overall appearance of the article.
Examples
Here's a simple example of an Infobox organization for a fictional company:
Template:Infobox organization is a standardized MediaWiki template used to present a concise summary of essential information about an organization at the top of an article. It’s a crucial component of many Wikipedia articles, providing readers with a quick overview of key facts before they delve into the detailed text. This article provides a comprehensive guide for beginners on how to use and understand this template. It will cover its purpose, structure, common parameters, advanced usage, troubleshooting, and best practices.
Purpose and Benefits
The primary goal of the Infobox organization template is to enhance readability and provide a structured presentation of organizational data. It offers several benefits:
Consistency: Ensures a uniform appearance across articles about different organizations, making information easier to locate.
Quick Overview: Allows readers to quickly grasp the essential facts about an organization without reading the entire article.
Navigation: Can include links to the organization's website, official social media pages, and related articles, aiding in further exploration.
Visual Appeal: Adds a visual element to the article, breaking up large blocks of text and making the page more engaging.
Data Standardization: Encourages the use of standardized data, which can be useful for data mining and other analytical purposes. This is especially important when comparing organizations.
Basic Structure and Syntax
The template is implemented using the following basic syntax:
Each line represents a parameter-value pair. The parameter name is followed by an equals sign (=), and then the corresponding value. Values can be plain text, links, images, or other valid MediaWiki markup. Whitespace around the equals sign is generally ignored, but it's good practice to maintain consistent formatting for readability.
Common Parameters
The Infobox organization template offers a wide array of parameters. Here's a breakdown of the most commonly used ones:
name: (Required) The official name of the organization.
image: The filename of an image to display in the infobox. Use File:Example.pngCaption to control size and add a caption.
caption: A caption for the image.
logo: Specifically for the organization's logo. Often used in conjunction with or instead of 'image'.
logo_size: Allows controlling the size of the logo.
alt: Alternative text for the image, important for accessibility.
homepage: The URL of the organization's official website. This will be displayed as a link.
established: The date the organization was founded, established, or incorporated. Use the Date format (e.g.,
Template:Start date
Template:Start date is a MediaWiki template designed to display a date in a standardized, human-readable format, particularly useful for indicating the start date of events, projects, or periods within a wiki. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding, using, and customizing the `Template:Start date` template for beginners. It will cover its purpose, parameters, examples, potential issues, and related templates. This template is invaluable for maintaining consistency when documenting timelines and historical data.
Purpose
The primary purpose of `Template:Start date` is to consistently format dates across a wiki. Without a standardized template, dates might appear in various formats (e.g., January 1, 2023, 1/1/2023, 2023-01-01), leading to visual clutter and potential confusion. This template ensures that all start dates are displayed in a uniform manner, enhancing readability and professionalism. It’s particularly useful for projects that involve tracking timelines, historical events, or scheduled activities. Effective date formatting is crucial for data integrity and usability, especially when dealing with Time series analysis.
Basic Usage
The simplest way to use the template is to provide a date in YYYY-MM-DD format. The template will then automatically format it into a more readable format, typically "January 1, 2023".
The `Template:Start date` template accepts several parameters to customize the output. Here's a breakdown of each parameter:
1 (Date): This is the *required* parameter. It represents the start date in YYYY-MM-DD format. For example, `2023-12-25` represents December 25, 2023. Incorrectly formatted dates will likely result in errors or unexpected output.
format: (Optional) This parameter allows you to specify a custom date format using PHP's `date()` function format codes. This provides a high degree of flexibility. For example, `format=d.m.Y` would output "25.12.2023". Refer to the PHP date() function documentation for a complete list of format codes. Using custom formats requires a good understanding of these codes.
month: (Optional) This parameter allows you to explicitly specify the month name. This is useful if you want to override the template's automatic month detection, perhaps for localization or specific stylistic requirements. Accepts the month name as a string (e.g., `month=December`).
day: (Optional) This parameter allows you to explicitly specify the day of the month. Similar to 'month', this overrides the template's automatic day detection. Accepts the day as a string (e.g., `day=25`).
year: (Optional) This parameter allows you to explicitly specify the year. Overrides the template's automatic year detection. Accepts the year as a string (e.g., `year=2023`).
hideyear: (Optional) A boolean parameter (true/false) that controls whether the year is displayed. If set to `true`, the year will be omitted. Default is `false` (year is displayed). Example: `hideyear=true`. This can be useful when the context clearly implies the year.
showfullmonth: (Optional) A boolean parameter (true/false) that determines whether the full month name is displayed. If set to `true`, "January" will be displayed instead of "Jan". Default is `false`. Example: `showfullmonth=true`.
link: (Optional) A boolean parameter (true/false) that determines whether the date is linked to a corresponding page (e.g., a page for that specific date). Default is `false`. Example: `link=true`. This is helpful for creating navigable timelines.
separator: (Optional) Allows you to change the separator character between the day, month and year. Default is a comma and a space (", "). Example: `separator=.` will output the date with a period as a separator.
Examples
Here are some examples demonstrating how to use the template with different parameters:
Incorrect Date Format: The most common issue is providing the date in a format other than YYYY-MM-DD. Ensure the date is entered correctly.
Invalid Format Codes: If using the `format` parameter, ensure the format codes are valid PHP `date()` function codes. Incorrect codes will result in errors or unexpected output. Consult the PHP date() function documentation.
Missing Pages for Linked Dates: If the `link` parameter is set to `true`, but the corresponding date page does not exist, the output will be a red link. Create the page to resolve this.
Template Conflicts: Rarely, conflicts can occur if other templates or extensions modify the output of this template. If this happens, investigate the interaction between the templates and extensions.
Localization: The default output is in English. For wikis using other languages, consider using the `month` parameter to specify the month name in the desired language or exploring localization extensions. This is related to Localization strategies.
Related Templates
Several other templates complement `Template:Start date` and provide related functionality:
Template:End date: Displays an end date in a standardized format. Often used in conjunction with `Template:Start date` to define a period.
Template:Duration: Calculates and displays the duration between a start and end date.
Template:Date: A more general-purpose date formatting template, offering more options than `Template:Start date`.
Template:Now: Displays the current date and time.
Template:Age: Calculates and displays the age based on a birth date.
Template:Timeline: Creates visual timelines based on a series of dates.
Template:Event timeline: Similar to timeline, but optimized for event-based timelines.
Template:Year: Displays only the year from a given date.
Template:Month: Displays only the month from a given date.
Template:Day: Displays only the day from a given date.
Advanced Usage and Customization
For more advanced users, the `Template:Start date` template can be extended and customized through the use of parser functions and Lua modules. This allows for more complex date calculations, conditional formatting, and integration with other wiki features. For example, you could use parser functions to dynamically determine whether a date falls within a specific range or to display different text based on the date. This involves a deeper understanding of MediaWiki's template system and programming languages like Lua. Consider studying MediaWiki extension development for more complex customizations.
Best Practices
Consistency: Always use `Template:Start date` (or a similar standardized template) for all start dates in your wiki.
YYYY-MM-DD Format: Provide the date in YYYY-MM-DD format to ensure correct parsing.
Use Parameters Wisely: Only use the optional parameters when necessary to customize the output. Avoid unnecessary complexity.
Test Thoroughly: After making changes to the template or its usage, test thoroughly to ensure the output is as expected.
Document Your Changes: If you modify the template, document your changes clearly for future maintainers.
Consider Accessibility: Ensure the date format is accessible to users with disabilities. Use clear and concise language.
Understand Date Interpretation: Be mindful of regional differences in date interpretation (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY vs. DD/MM/YYYY) and choose a format that is unambiguous for your target audience. This is relevant to Global market analysis.
Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive:
✓ Daily trading signals
✓ Exclusive strategy analysis
✓ Market trend alerts
✓ Educational materials for beginners).
type: The type of organization (e.g., corporation, non-profit, government agency). Consider using existing categories.
industry: The industry the organization operates in. Link to relevant industry articles.
key_people: Lists key individuals associated with the organization (e.g., CEO, president, founder). Use a list format.
employees: The number of employees.
revenue: The organization's annual revenue. Include the currency and year (e.g., $1.2 billion (2022)). Consider financial analysis techniques when presenting this data.
operating_income: The organization’s operating income.
net_income: The organization's net income.
owner: The owner(s) of the organization (e.g., shareholders, parent company).
subsidiaries: A list of the organization's subsidiaries.
parent: The organization's parent company.
slogan: The organization's official slogan.
location: The headquarters location. Link to the relevant city or country article.
coordinates: Geographic coordinates of the headquarters. Use the Template:Coord template.
area_served: The geographic area the organization serves.
footnotes: Any notes or references related to the infobox data.
Advanced Usage and Parameters
Beyond the common parameters, the Infobox organization template supports several advanced options:
label1 – label10: Allows adding custom labels and values to the infobox. This is useful for displaying information that doesn't fit into the standard parameters.
data1 – data10: The corresponding values for the custom labels.
above: Content placed *above* the standard infobox content. Useful for introductory text or warnings.
below: Content placed *below* the standard infobox content. Useful for disclaimers or additional notes.
modules: Enables the use of modules to extend the functionality of the infobox. This is an advanced feature requiring programming knowledge.
style: Allows applying custom CSS styles to the infobox. Use with caution, as it can affect the overall appearance of the article.
Examples
Here's a simple example of an Infobox organization for a fictional company:
This example demonstrates the use of several common parameters. You can adapt it to fit the specific needs of the organization you're documenting.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Infobox not displaying correctly: Check for syntax errors, such as missing equals signs or incorrect parameter names. Use the MediaWiki preview feature to identify and correct errors.
Image not appearing: Ensure the image file exists on Wikimedia Commons or the local wiki and that the filename is correct. Verify the image license is appropriate.
Links not working: Double-check the URL for typos and ensure it's a valid link.
Infobox too wide: Reduce the size of the image or use fewer parameters. Consider using custom CSS to adjust the infobox width.
Date format errors: Use the Date template for consistent date formatting. Incorrect date formats can break the infobox.
Best Practices
Accuracy: Ensure all information in the infobox is accurate and verifiable. Cite reliable sources.
Conciseness: Keep the infobox concise and focused on essential facts. Avoid unnecessary details.
Consistency: Follow established conventions for formatting and parameter usage.
Completeness: Fill in as many relevant parameters as possible.
Neutrality: Present information in a neutral and objective tone. Avoid promotional language.
Accessibility: Provide alternative text for images and ensure the infobox is accessible to users with disabilities.
Use of Categories: Correctly categorize the article using relevant or related categories. This improves searchability and organization. Consider categories related to market capitalization, revenue growth, and profit margins.
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This example demonstrates the use of several common parameters. You can adapt it to fit the specific needs of the organization you're documenting.
Troubleshooting and Common Issues
Infobox not displaying correctly: Check for syntax errors, such as missing equals signs or incorrect parameter names. Use the MediaWiki preview feature to identify and correct errors.
Image not appearing: Ensure the image file exists on Wikimedia Commons or the local wiki and that the filename is correct. Verify the image license is appropriate.
Links not working: Double-check the URL for typos and ensure it's a valid link.
Infobox too wide: Reduce the size of the image or use fewer parameters. Consider using custom CSS to adjust the infobox width.
Date format errors: Use the Date template for consistent date formatting. Incorrect date formats can break the infobox.
Best Practices
Accuracy: Ensure all information in the infobox is accurate and verifiable. Cite reliable sources.
Conciseness: Keep the infobox concise and focused on essential facts. Avoid unnecessary details.
Consistency: Follow established conventions for formatting and parameter usage.
Completeness: Fill in as many relevant parameters as possible.
Neutrality: Present information in a neutral and objective tone. Avoid promotional language.
Accessibility: Provide alternative text for images and ensure the infobox is accessible to users with disabilities.
Use of Categories: Correctly categorize the article using relevant or related categories. This improves searchability and organization. Consider categories related to market capitalization, revenue growth, and profit margins.
