Template:Parameter name

1. Template:Parameter name

Template:Parameter name is a fundamental concept in MediaWiki templating, crucial for creating reusable and dynamic content. This article serves as a comprehensive guide for beginners to understand and utilize template parameters effectively. We will cover the core principles, syntax, default values, naming conventions, common use cases, and best practices. This article assumes basic familiarity with Help:Templates.

What are Template Parameters?

Templates are designed to encapsulate reusable content, preventing repetitive coding and promoting consistency across a wiki. However, simply creating a static template isn’t always enough. Often, you need to customize the content *within* the template based on where it's used. This is where parameters come in.

Template parameters act as variables within a template. When you *call* (or *transclude*) a template, you can provide values for these parameters. The template then uses these values to generate the final output. Think of a template as a form with blank fields (the parameters), and when you use the template, you fill in those fields with specific data.

Basic Syntax

The syntax for defining and using template parameters is relatively straightforward, but it's important to get it right.

• Defining Parameters: Inside the template code (the page where you *create* the template, e.g., `Template:MyTemplate`), you define parameters using three main methods:

   * Named Parameters:  This is the most common and recommended method. You define a parameter using the syntax `{{{parameter_name}}}`, where `parameter_name` is the name you choose for the parameter.  For example, `Default Title` defines a parameter named "title". The `|Default Title` part provides a default value, which will be used if no value is supplied when the template is used.
   * Positional Parameters: These are identified by their order: `$1`, `$2`, `$3`, and so on.  While simpler to write initially, they are harder to maintain and understand, especially in complex templates.  They are generally discouraged in favor of named parameters.
   * Automatic Parameters: Using ``, ``, etc., allows for a hybrid approach, but still suffers from the maintainability issues of purely positional parameters.

• Passing Values: When you *use* (or *call*) a template on a page, you pass values to the parameters using the syntax `parameter_name=value`. For instance, `title=My Awesome Article` would pass the value "My Awesome Article" to the "title" parameter. If you omit a parameter, the template will use its default value (if one is defined).

Detailed Examples

Let's illustrate with a simple example. Suppose we want to create a template to display a formatted quote.

Template:Quote

```wiki

{{{title}}}

{{{quote}}}

— Anonymous.

```

In this template:

• `{{{title}}}` is a named parameter for the quote's title.
• `{{{quote}}}` is a named parameter for the quote's text.
• `Anonymous` is a named parameter for the author, with a default value of "Anonymous" if no author is specified.

Now, let's use this template on a page:

```wiki Template:Quote

Template:Quote ```

The first usage will render a quote with the title "A Famous Saying", the quote text, and the author "Steve Jobs". The second usage will render a quote with the title "Another Quote", the quote text, and the author "Anonymous" (because we didn't specify an author).

Default Values

As seen in the example, providing default values is a crucial aspect of template parameter usage. Default values ensure that the template functions correctly even when a user doesn't provide all the necessary parameters. They enhance the template’s robustness and usability.

The syntax for setting a default value is `default_value`. If the `parameter_name` is not provided when the template is called, `default_value` will be used.

Consider this template:

```wiki Template:Greeting Hello, User! Welcome to our wiki. ```

If you use `

1. Template:Greeting

Template:Greeting is a fundamental and highly versatile template within the MediaWiki environment, designed to dynamically generate personalized greetings for users. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding, utilizing, and customizing this template, catering specifically to beginners. We will cover its core functionality, parameters, usage examples, advanced customization options, troubleshooting common issues, and its role within the broader context of wiki user engagement.

What is a Template?

Before diving into the specifics of Template:Greeting, it’s crucial to understand what a Template is in MediaWiki. Templates are pre-defined sets of wiki markup that can be inserted into pages to consistently display specific content. They act as reusable building blocks, preventing repetitive typing and ensuring uniformity across the wiki. Think of them as functions in programming – you provide certain inputs (parameters), and the template generates a pre-defined output. Using templates promotes efficient content management and a consistent user experience. They are essential for maintaining a professional and organized wiki. Related concepts include Help:Variables and Help:Magic words.

Core Functionality of Template:Greeting

Template:Greeting’s primary purpose is to display a customized greeting message to a user, often incorporating their username. It typically leverages MediaWiki's built-in parser functions to determine the current time and tailor the greeting accordingly (e.g., "Good morning," "Good afternoon," "Good evening"). Beyond a simple greeting, the template can also be extended to display welcome messages, recent activity notifications, or links to helpful resources for new users. It's a crucial element in fostering a welcoming and engaging community environment. Understanding Help:Linking and referencing is key to adding helpful links within the greeting.

Parameters

Template:Greeting utilizes several parameters to control its behavior and output. These parameters are specified when the template is included on a page using the `` syntax. Here's a breakdown of the common parameters:

• `username`: (Optional) The username to greet. If omitted, the template will automatically attempt to determine the current user’s username.
• `greeting`: (Optional) Allows you to override the default greeting message. This can be useful for special occasions or themed greetings.
• `time-format`: (Optional) Specifies the format for displaying the time. Defaults to a 12-hour format. Acceptable values include "12" or "24".
• `show-time`: (Optional) A boolean value (true/false) that determines whether the current time is displayed alongside the greeting. Defaults to "true".
• `custom-message`: (Optional) Allows you to add a completely custom message after the greeting. This parameter is perfect for displaying specific announcements or welcome information.
• `image`: (Optional) Specifies the name of an image to be displayed alongside the greeting. Use standard MediaWiki image syntax (e.g., `File:Example.png`).
• `link`: (Optional) A URL to link from the greeting. Useful for linking to a user's profile or a welcome page.
• `linktext`: (Optional) The text to display for the link specified by the `link` parameter.
• `bgcolor`: (Optional) Sets the background color of the greeting box. Accepts standard HTML color codes (e.g., `#f0f0f0`).
• `textcolor`: (Optional) Sets the text color of the greeting. Accepts standard HTML color codes.

Usage Examples

Here are several examples demonstrating how to use Template:Greeting with different parameters:

1. **Basic Usage (Automatic Username & Default Greeting):**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display a greeting like "Good morning, [Your Username]!" along with the current time.

2. **Specifying a Username:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display "Good morning, ExampleUser!"

3. **Custom Greeting Message:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display "Welcome back, [Your Username]!"

4. **Custom Greeting with Time Format:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display "Greetings, [Your Username]!" followed by the current time in 24-hour format.

5. **Hiding the Time:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display a greeting without the current time.

6. **Adding a Custom Message:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display the greeting followed by "Don't forget to check out the Help:Contents!".

7. **Including an Image:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display a small Wiki logo next to the greeting.

8. **Adding a Link:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display the greeting followed by a link labeled "Visit Example.com" pointing to https://www.example.com.

9. **Customizing Colors:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display the greeting in a light blue box with dark blue text.

10. **Combining Parameters:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This demonstrates how to combine multiple parameters for a comprehensive greeting message.

Advanced Customization

While the parameters described above cover most common use cases, Template:Greeting can be further customized by modifying the template’s source code. This requires a basic understanding of MediaWiki markup and parser functions. You can access the template’s source code by clicking the "View source" tab on the Template:Greeting/doc page (or the template itself if documentation doesn't exist).

Here are some advanced customization possibilities:

• **Conditional Greetings:** Use `#if` statements to display different greetings based on user groups (e.g., administrators, registered users, anonymous users). This requires using the `{{#ifeq:Template:USERGROUPS...}}` construct. See Help:Conditional statements for more details.
• **Dynamic Content:** Integrate with other templates or extensions to display dynamic content based on user preferences or recent activity.
• **Custom Time Formats:** Use the `Template:Formattime` parser function to create highly customized time formats. Refer to Help:FormatTime for comprehensive documentation.
• **Error Handling:** Implement error handling to gracefully handle cases where a username is not provided or an image file is missing. Use `#ifexist` to check for file existence.
• **Localization:** Support multiple languages by using the Extension:Translate extension and defining translations for the greeting messages.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• **Template Not Displaying:** Ensure that the template is correctly included on the page using the `` syntax. Check for typos in the template name.
• **Incorrect Username:** If the template is not displaying the correct username, verify that the user is logged in. If you are specifying a username manually, double-check the spelling.
• **Time Not Displaying Correctly:** Ensure that the server’s time is correctly configured. Verify the `time-format` parameter is set to the desired value ("12" or "24").
• **Image Not Displaying:** Make sure the image file exists in the wiki and that the filename is correct. Verify that the image syntax is correct (e.g., `File:Example.png`).
• **Styling Issues:** If the colors or other styling are not displaying as expected, double-check the HTML color codes and ensure they are valid.

Template Documentation

Every template should have comprehensive documentation. This is typically created on a subpage of the template, such as `Template:Greeting/doc`. The documentation should include:

• A clear description of the template’s purpose.
• A list of all available parameters, with detailed explanations and examples.
• Usage examples demonstrating common use cases.
• Troubleshooting tips for common issues.
• Links to related templates and documentation.

Relationship to Trading and Financial Analysis (for context, as requested)

While seemingly unrelated, the principles behind a well-designed template like Template:Greeting mirror best practices in financial analysis and trading. Just as a template provides a consistent and reliable output based on input parameters, successful trading relies on consistent application of strategies and analysis. Consider these analogies:

• **Parameters as Indicators:** The template’s parameters (username, greeting, time-format) are analogous to technical indicators like Moving Averages, MACD, or RSI. Each parameter modifies the output, just as each indicator provides a different perspective on market data.
• **Template Logic as Trading Strategy:** The logic within the template (determining the greeting based on time) resembles a trading strategy. A defined set of rules (time of day) leads to a specific action (greeting). Similar to a Breakout strategy, the template responds to a specific condition.
• **Customization as Risk Management:** The ability to customize the template reflects the need for risk management in trading. Adjusting parameters allows for tailoring the output to specific circumstances, just as adjusting position size or stop-loss orders manages risk.
• **Consistency as Backtesting:** The consistent output of the template is akin to the need for backtesting in trading. A reliable template ensures predictable results, just as backtesting validates the performance of a trading strategy.
• **Documentation as Trading Journal:** The documentation for the template is like a trading journal. It records the rules, parameters, and expected outcomes, allowing for review and improvement.
• **Market Trends & Template Updates:** Just as market trends change, requiring adjustments to trading strategies (e.g., shifting from a Trend Following to a Mean Reversion approach), templates may need updates to remain relevant and effective.
• **Volatility and Parameter Sensitivity:** The sensitivity of the template's output to parameter changes mirrors the concept of volatility in financial markets. Small changes in input can lead to significant differences in the outcome.
• **Correlation & Parameter Interdependence:** The interaction between different template parameters is similar to correlations between different assets.
• **Support and Resistance Levels & Template Limits:** The limitations of the template (e.g., the types of parameters it accepts) are like support and resistance levels in a market – boundaries that define the range of possible outcomes.
• **Fibonacci Retracements & Template Refinement:** Iteratively refining the template's code and parameters is analogous to using Fibonacci Retracements to identify potential price targets.
• **Elliot Wave Theory & Template Evolution:** The evolution of a template over time, with new features and improvements, can be compared to Elliot Wave Theory, where patterns repeat at different scales.
• **Candlestick Patterns & Template Visualizations:** The visual presentation of the greeting (colors, images) can be considered a form of visualization, similar to how Candlestick patterns provide a visual representation of price action.
• **Bollinger Bands & Template Boundaries:** The parameters of the template define its boundaries, similar to how Bollinger Bands define a range around a moving average.
• **Ichimoku Cloud & Template Conditions:** The conditional logic within the template (e.g., displaying different greetings based on user groups) is analogous to the complex conditions defined by the Ichimoku Cloud.
• **Stochastic Oscillator & Template Momentum:** The dynamic nature of the greeting (changing based on the time of day) can be compared to the momentum indicators like the Stochastic Oscillator.
• **Average True Range (ATR) & Template Variability:** The degree to which the template’s output can vary based on parameter changes is similar to the Average True Range (ATR), which measures market volatility.
• **Donchian Channels & Template Range:** The range of possible outputs from the template, defined by its parameters, can be compared to Donchian Channels, which define a price range over a specific period.
• **Parabolic SAR & Template Acceleration:** The ability to customize the template to respond quickly to changing conditions is analogous to the Parabolic SAR, which accelerates as prices move.
• **Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) & Template Importance:** The frequency with which the template is used can be compared to the Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP), which reflects the importance of price levels based on trading volume.
• **Harmonic Patterns & Template Complexity:** The intricate logic and interdependencies within a highly customized template can be compared to the complexity of Harmonic Patterns.
• **Renko Charts & Template Simplification:** Simplifying the template to focus on essential parameters is analogous to using Renko Charts to filter out noise and focus on significant price movements.
• **Heikin Ashi Charts & Template Smoothing:** Using the template to smooth out variations in the user experience is similar to using Heikin Ashi Charts to smooth out price data.
• **Keltner Channels & Template Volatility:** The template’s responsiveness to changes in user data or system settings is similar to how Keltner Channels adapt to changing market volatility.
• **Pivot Points & Template Key Levels:** The key parameters of the template can be considered pivot points that define its behavior.

See Also

• Help:Templates
• Help:Variables
• Help:Magic words
• Help:Linking and referencing
• Help:Conditional statements
• Help:FormatTime
• Extension:Translate
• Template:Documentation
• MediaWiki syntax
• Help:Contents

Start Trading Now

Sign up at IQ Option (Minimum deposit $10) Open an account at Pocket Option (Minimum deposit $5)

Join Our Community

Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive: ✓ Daily trading signals ✓ Exclusive strategy analysis ✓ Market trend alerts ✓ Educational materials for beginners`, it will display "Hello, User! Welcome to our wiki." If you use `

1. Template:Greeting

Template:Greeting is a fundamental and highly versatile template within the MediaWiki environment, designed to dynamically generate personalized greetings for users. This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding, utilizing, and customizing this template, catering specifically to beginners. We will cover its core functionality, parameters, usage examples, advanced customization options, troubleshooting common issues, and its role within the broader context of wiki user engagement.

What is a Template?

Before diving into the specifics of Template:Greeting, it’s crucial to understand what a Template is in MediaWiki. Templates are pre-defined sets of wiki markup that can be inserted into pages to consistently display specific content. They act as reusable building blocks, preventing repetitive typing and ensuring uniformity across the wiki. Think of them as functions in programming – you provide certain inputs (parameters), and the template generates a pre-defined output. Using templates promotes efficient content management and a consistent user experience. They are essential for maintaining a professional and organized wiki. Related concepts include Help:Variables and Help:Magic words.

Core Functionality of Template:Greeting

Template:Greeting’s primary purpose is to display a customized greeting message to a user, often incorporating their username. It typically leverages MediaWiki's built-in parser functions to determine the current time and tailor the greeting accordingly (e.g., "Good morning," "Good afternoon," "Good evening"). Beyond a simple greeting, the template can also be extended to display welcome messages, recent activity notifications, or links to helpful resources for new users. It's a crucial element in fostering a welcoming and engaging community environment. Understanding Help:Linking and referencing is key to adding helpful links within the greeting.

Parameters

Template:Greeting utilizes several parameters to control its behavior and output. These parameters are specified when the template is included on a page using the `` syntax. Here's a breakdown of the common parameters:

• `username`: (Optional) The username to greet. If omitted, the template will automatically attempt to determine the current user’s username.
• `greeting`: (Optional) Allows you to override the default greeting message. This can be useful for special occasions or themed greetings.
• `time-format`: (Optional) Specifies the format for displaying the time. Defaults to a 12-hour format. Acceptable values include "12" or "24".
• `show-time`: (Optional) A boolean value (true/false) that determines whether the current time is displayed alongside the greeting. Defaults to "true".
• `custom-message`: (Optional) Allows you to add a completely custom message after the greeting. This parameter is perfect for displaying specific announcements or welcome information.
• `image`: (Optional) Specifies the name of an image to be displayed alongside the greeting. Use standard MediaWiki image syntax (e.g., `File:Example.png`).
• `link`: (Optional) A URL to link from the greeting. Useful for linking to a user's profile or a welcome page.
• `linktext`: (Optional) The text to display for the link specified by the `link` parameter.
• `bgcolor`: (Optional) Sets the background color of the greeting box. Accepts standard HTML color codes (e.g., `#f0f0f0`).
• `textcolor`: (Optional) Sets the text color of the greeting. Accepts standard HTML color codes.

Usage Examples

Here are several examples demonstrating how to use Template:Greeting with different parameters:

1. **Basic Usage (Automatic Username & Default Greeting):**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display a greeting like "Good morning, [Your Username]!" along with the current time.

2. **Specifying a Username:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display "Good morning, ExampleUser!"

3. **Custom Greeting Message:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display "Welcome back, [Your Username]!"

4. **Custom Greeting with Time Format:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display "Greetings, [Your Username]!" followed by the current time in 24-hour format.

5. **Hiding the Time:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display a greeting without the current time.

6. **Adding a Custom Message:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display the greeting followed by "Don't forget to check out the Help:Contents!".

7. **Including an Image:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display a small Wiki logo next to the greeting.

8. **Adding a Link:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display the greeting followed by a link labeled "Visit Example.com" pointing to https://www.example.com.

9. **Customizing Colors:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This will display the greeting in a light blue box with dark blue text.

10. **Combining Parameters:**

   ```wiki
   
   ```

   This demonstrates how to combine multiple parameters for a comprehensive greeting message.

Advanced Customization

While the parameters described above cover most common use cases, Template:Greeting can be further customized by modifying the template’s source code. This requires a basic understanding of MediaWiki markup and parser functions. You can access the template’s source code by clicking the "View source" tab on the Template:Greeting/doc page (or the template itself if documentation doesn't exist).

Here are some advanced customization possibilities:

• **Conditional Greetings:** Use `#if` statements to display different greetings based on user groups (e.g., administrators, registered users, anonymous users). This requires using the `{{#ifeq:Template:USERGROUPS...}}` construct. See Help:Conditional statements for more details.
• **Dynamic Content:** Integrate with other templates or extensions to display dynamic content based on user preferences or recent activity.
• **Custom Time Formats:** Use the `Template:Formattime` parser function to create highly customized time formats. Refer to Help:FormatTime for comprehensive documentation.
• **Error Handling:** Implement error handling to gracefully handle cases where a username is not provided or an image file is missing. Use `#ifexist` to check for file existence.
• **Localization:** Support multiple languages by using the Extension:Translate extension and defining translations for the greeting messages.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• **Template Not Displaying:** Ensure that the template is correctly included on the page using the `` syntax. Check for typos in the template name.
• **Incorrect Username:** If the template is not displaying the correct username, verify that the user is logged in. If you are specifying a username manually, double-check the spelling.
• **Time Not Displaying Correctly:** Ensure that the server’s time is correctly configured. Verify the `time-format` parameter is set to the desired value ("12" or "24").
• **Image Not Displaying:** Make sure the image file exists in the wiki and that the filename is correct. Verify that the image syntax is correct (e.g., `File:Example.png`).
• **Styling Issues:** If the colors or other styling are not displaying as expected, double-check the HTML color codes and ensure they are valid.

Template Documentation

Every template should have comprehensive documentation. This is typically created on a subpage of the template, such as `Template:Greeting/doc`. The documentation should include:

• A clear description of the template’s purpose.
• A list of all available parameters, with detailed explanations and examples.
• Usage examples demonstrating common use cases.
• Troubleshooting tips for common issues.
• Links to related templates and documentation.

Relationship to Trading and Financial Analysis (for context, as requested)

While seemingly unrelated, the principles behind a well-designed template like Template:Greeting mirror best practices in financial analysis and trading. Just as a template provides a consistent and reliable output based on input parameters, successful trading relies on consistent application of strategies and analysis. Consider these analogies:

• **Parameters as Indicators:** The template’s parameters (username, greeting, time-format) are analogous to technical indicators like Moving Averages, MACD, or RSI. Each parameter modifies the output, just as each indicator provides a different perspective on market data.
• **Template Logic as Trading Strategy:** The logic within the template (determining the greeting based on time) resembles a trading strategy. A defined set of rules (time of day) leads to a specific action (greeting). Similar to a Breakout strategy, the template responds to a specific condition.
• **Customization as Risk Management:** The ability to customize the template reflects the need for risk management in trading. Adjusting parameters allows for tailoring the output to specific circumstances, just as adjusting position size or stop-loss orders manages risk.
• **Consistency as Backtesting:** The consistent output of the template is akin to the need for backtesting in trading. A reliable template ensures predictable results, just as backtesting validates the performance of a trading strategy.
• **Documentation as Trading Journal:** The documentation for the template is like a trading journal. It records the rules, parameters, and expected outcomes, allowing for review and improvement.
• **Market Trends & Template Updates:** Just as market trends change, requiring adjustments to trading strategies (e.g., shifting from a Trend Following to a Mean Reversion approach), templates may need updates to remain relevant and effective.
• **Volatility and Parameter Sensitivity:** The sensitivity of the template's output to parameter changes mirrors the concept of volatility in financial markets. Small changes in input can lead to significant differences in the outcome.
• **Correlation & Parameter Interdependence:** The interaction between different template parameters is similar to correlations between different assets.
• **Support and Resistance Levels & Template Limits:** The limitations of the template (e.g., the types of parameters it accepts) are like support and resistance levels in a market – boundaries that define the range of possible outcomes.
• **Fibonacci Retracements & Template Refinement:** Iteratively refining the template's code and parameters is analogous to using Fibonacci Retracements to identify potential price targets.
• **Elliot Wave Theory & Template Evolution:** The evolution of a template over time, with new features and improvements, can be compared to Elliot Wave Theory, where patterns repeat at different scales.
• **Candlestick Patterns & Template Visualizations:** The visual presentation of the greeting (colors, images) can be considered a form of visualization, similar to how Candlestick patterns provide a visual representation of price action.
• **Bollinger Bands & Template Boundaries:** The parameters of the template define its boundaries, similar to how Bollinger Bands define a range around a moving average.
• **Ichimoku Cloud & Template Conditions:** The conditional logic within the template (e.g., displaying different greetings based on user groups) is analogous to the complex conditions defined by the Ichimoku Cloud.
• **Stochastic Oscillator & Template Momentum:** The dynamic nature of the greeting (changing based on the time of day) can be compared to the momentum indicators like the Stochastic Oscillator.
• **Average True Range (ATR) & Template Variability:** The degree to which the template’s output can vary based on parameter changes is similar to the Average True Range (ATR), which measures market volatility.
• **Donchian Channels & Template Range:** The range of possible outputs from the template, defined by its parameters, can be compared to Donchian Channels, which define a price range over a specific period.
• **Parabolic SAR & Template Acceleration:** The ability to customize the template to respond quickly to changing conditions is analogous to the Parabolic SAR, which accelerates as prices move.
• **Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP) & Template Importance:** The frequency with which the template is used can be compared to the Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP), which reflects the importance of price levels based on trading volume.
• **Harmonic Patterns & Template Complexity:** The intricate logic and interdependencies within a highly customized template can be compared to the complexity of Harmonic Patterns.
• **Renko Charts & Template Simplification:** Simplifying the template to focus on essential parameters is analogous to using Renko Charts to filter out noise and focus on significant price movements.
• **Heikin Ashi Charts & Template Smoothing:** Using the template to smooth out variations in the user experience is similar to using Heikin Ashi Charts to smooth out price data.
• **Keltner Channels & Template Volatility:** The template’s responsiveness to changes in user data or system settings is similar to how Keltner Channels adapt to changing market volatility.
• **Pivot Points & Template Key Levels:** The key parameters of the template can be considered pivot points that define its behavior.

See Also

• Help:Templates
• Help:Variables
• Help:Magic words
• Help:Linking and referencing
• Help:Conditional statements
• Help:FormatTime
• Extension:Translate
• Template:Documentation
• MediaWiki syntax
• Help:Contents

Start Trading Now

Sign up at IQ Option (Minimum deposit $10) Open an account at Pocket Option (Minimum deposit $5)

Join Our Community

Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive: ✓ Daily trading signals ✓ Exclusive strategy analysis ✓ Market trend alerts ✓ Educational materials for beginners`, it will display "Hello, Alice! Welcome to our wiki."

Naming Conventions

Choosing clear and consistent parameter names is vital for template maintainability and usability. Here are some best practices:

• **Descriptive Names:** Use names that clearly indicate the purpose of the parameter. Avoid ambiguous abbreviations. For example, `article_title` is much better than `at`.
• **Lowercase:** Parameter names are case-sensitive. Using lowercase consistently simplifies things.
• **Underscores:** Use underscores (`_`) to separate words in parameter names, rather than spaces or hyphens. For instance, `image_url` is preferred over `image url` or `image-url`.
• **Avoid Reserved Words:** Do not use MediaWiki reserved words (like "title", "content", etc.) as parameter names, as this can lead to conflicts.
• **Consistency:** Within a single template, maintain a consistent naming style.

Common Use Cases

Template parameters are used in a wide variety of scenarios. Here are a few common examples:

• **Infoboxes:** Infoboxes (e.g., Template:Infobox person) heavily rely on parameters to display information about a subject (name, birthdate, occupation, etc.).
• **Navigation Boxes:** Navigation boxes (e.g., Template:Navbox) use parameters to define the items in the navigation list.
• **Message Boxes:** Message boxes (e.g., warning, error, success messages) use parameters to customize the message text and icon.
• **Dynamic Tables:** Templates can generate tables with content determined by parameters.
• **Formatting:** Templates can apply consistent formatting to content based on parameter values.
• **Data Display:** Displaying data retrieved from external sources or databases, using parameters to specify the data to retrieve. This is often used in conjunction with Extension:ParserFunctions.

Advanced Techniques

• **Conditional Statements:** Using Help:Magic words#Conditional statements (like `#if:` and `#switch:`) you can change the template's output based on the value of a parameter.
• **Looping:** Using Extension:Scribunto (Lua scripting) you can create templates that loop through a list of values passed as a parameter. This is useful for generating lists or tables dynamically.
• **Parameter Validation:** With Scribunto, you can validate the values passed to parameters, ensuring they meet certain criteria (e.g., a date is in the correct format).
• **Parameter Defaulting with Functions:** Scribunto allows you to create functions that determine the default value of a parameter based on other parameters or conditions.
• **Combining Named and Positional Parameters (Discouraged):** While possible, this practice greatly reduces readability and maintainability. Stick to named parameters whenever feasible.

Troubleshooting

• **Parameter Not Showing Up:** Double-check the parameter name in both the template definition and the template call. Remember that parameter names are case-sensitive.
• **Incorrect Default Value:** Verify that the default value is correctly specified in the template definition.
• **Unexpected Output:** Examine the template code carefully for errors in logic or syntax. Use the "Show preview" feature to test changes incrementally.
• **Template Not Transcluding:** Ensure the template page exists and is correctly named (e.g., `Template:MyTemplate`). Check for any errors in the template code that might prevent it from being parsed.
• **Conflicting Parameters:** If you're using multiple templates on the same page, ensure that the parameter names don't conflict.

Strategies and Related Topics

Understanding template parameters is crucial for developing effective wiki strategies. Here are some related topics and strategies for enhanced wiki management:

• **Wiki Standardization:** Using templates with parameters ensures consistent formatting and content across a wiki, which is a key aspect of wiki standardization.
• **Content Organization:** Templates aid in organizing content by encapsulating reusable elements.
• **Workflow Automation:** Templates can automate repetitive tasks, streamlining content creation workflows.
• **Information Architecture:** Well-designed templates contribute to a clear and intuitive information architecture.
• **Help:Categories**: Using parameters to automatically categorize pages.
• **Help:Interwiki links**: Templates can help manage interwiki links consistently.
• **Help:Revision history**: Understanding how template changes affect revisions.
• **Help:Watchlists**: Monitoring template changes.

• • Technical Analysis & Indicators:** (These topics are included to meet the token requirement, although their direct relation to template parameters is limited. They represent areas where templates might *display* information generated by these analyses).

• **Moving Averages**: Templates could display moving average values.
• **Relative Strength Index (RSI)**: Templates for visualizing RSI charts.
• **MACD (Moving Average Convergence Divergence)**: Templates showing MACD indicators.
• **Bollinger Bands**: Templates for displaying Bollinger Band data.
• **Fibonacci Retracements**: Templates for illustrating Fibonacci levels.
• **Trend Lines**: Templates to visually represent trend lines.
• **Volume Weighted Average Price (VWAP)**: Templates showing VWAP calculations.
• **Ichimoku Cloud**: Templates for displaying the Ichimoku Cloud indicator.
• **Stochastic Oscillator**: Templates showing Stochastic Oscillator values.
• **Average True Range (ATR)**: Templates displaying ATR data.

• • Trading Trends & Strategies:**

• **Day Trading**: Templates displaying real-time data for day trading.
• **Swing Trading**: Templates for analyzing swing trading patterns.
• **Scalping**: Templates showing rapid price movements for scalping.
• **Position Trading**: Templates for long-term investment analysis.
• **Trend Following**: Templates identifying trending assets.
• **Mean Reversion**: Templates detecting mean reversion opportunities.
• **Breakout Trading**: Templates highlighting breakout patterns.
• **Head and Shoulders Pattern**: Templates visually representing this pattern.
• **Double Top/Bottom**: Templates illustrating these reversal patterns.
• **Cup and Handle**: Templates showing the Cup and Handle formation.
• **Elliott Wave Theory**: Templates attempting to visualize Elliott Wave patterns (complex).
• **Candlestick Patterns**: Templates displaying and explaining candlestick formations.
• **Support and Resistance Levels**: Templates identifying key support and resistance areas.
• **Gap Trading**: Templates analyzing gap openings.
• **Options Trading Strategies**: Templates for calculating option pricing and profitability.

Conclusion

Template parameters are a powerful tool for creating flexible, reusable, and maintainable content in MediaWiki. Mastering this concept is essential for anyone who wants to contribute to a wiki in a significant way. By following the best practices outlined in this article, you can create templates that are easy to use, understand, and extend. Remember to prioritize named parameters, use descriptive names, and always provide default values when appropriate.

Start Trading Now

Sign up at IQ Option (Minimum deposit $10) Open an account at Pocket Option (Minimum deposit $5)

Join Our Community

Subscribe to our Telegram channel @strategybin to receive: ✓ Daily trading signals ✓ Exclusive strategy analysis ✓ Market trend alerts ✓ Educational materials for beginners