User talk:Scartol/Scartol, on template use and design

Comments

In the "Images" section, could you explain what the code means? That is one of the things that I always get hung up on. I am constantly copying things I don't understand. So, explain why we need the table width, the border, what "tr" is, etc. (I've read the "Basics" section now.) Awadewit | talk 08:17, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Done. Hope that helps. I didn't want to get into too much HTML explanation; this is why I included the Wikibook link. – Scartol · Talk 13:18, 8 October 2007 (UTC)

Comments part the second

• sort of like X in the algebra problems you did in high school - This phrase relies on two unfounded assumptions:

• 1) You did algebra in high school.
• 2) You have already reached high school.

Perhaps another joke or a slight rewording? Awadewit | talk 18:05, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

Yeah, I agree. Done. – Scartol · Talk 23:03, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

• I would list more examples of when it is a good idea and when it is not a good idea to use substitution.

Y'know, I'm actually having trouble coming up with examples. If anyone else has ideas, feel free to add them. – Scartol · Talk 23:03, 17 October 2007 (UTC)

• This is excellent! Awadewit | talk 18:05, 14 October 2007 (UTC)

Thank you so much, Awad. I appreciate your kind feedback. – Scartol · Talk 23:03, 17 October 2007 (UTC)<

Irrelevant parserfunctions

I have to say that the "#if" example is probably the worse example I've ever seen: that's nothing but a needlessly fancy way to say ''{{{1|Futurama}}}''... This key (because your example won't work unless the variables are actually written {{{1|}}}!) technique for defaults is missing entirely from the tutorial! Circeus 04:56, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

Could you suggest a better way to demonstrate this function? I admit to being new to #if, so I'd appreciate any guidance or links you can offer. Thanks! – Scartol · Talk 17:48, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

I need to learn how to write templates so that "they nest" whatever that means. A new type of Wikiproject banner (Template:WikiProjects?) allows seperate banners to combine into one. I saw some done that way, but can't find any examples now that I need to.  :-) There sure are a lot of #ifs in that template! Maybe you can figure out what it does. The Transhumanist 02:09, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

Actually, I think this is what Circeus was getting at above – all the #ifs in the {{WikiProjects}} template do the following:

→ If the user has defined WikiProject #1, then list it. Otherwise list nothing.
→ (repeat x 50)

This is what #if is usually used for. Maybe, TH, you're thinking of {{WikiProjectBanners}}? It allows multiple templates to be combined into one collapsible talk page template. It does pretty much the same thing as {{WikiProjects}}, albeit with slightly more fancy code.

If you want me to include something about this into the tutorial, let me know (but it may be a couple of weeks before I can do it). – Scartol · Talk 02:24, 30 October 2007 (UTC)

Please read what Circeus said, literally, to understand why the example is too complicated. It hinges on understanding what {{{1|Futurama}}} does: show parameter 1, or, if it's empty, show Futurama. Now, you should see what {{{1|}}} does: show parameter 1 if it's not empty.

{{WikiProjects}} is a better example of #if, in that it doesn't simply display each parameter, say {{{1}}}, it displays {{User {{{1}}}}}. You can't achieve this without a ParserFunction, whereas above you can.

Nesting simply means, roughly, having one thing within another thing of the same type. So a template transcluding a template might be an example. –Pomte 06:06, 6 January 2008 (UTC)