233:, a proposal was made to use a meta-template. In this area, it is much better to decide on a common look and format, document that standard for easy reference in case new related templates are needed, and then implement it across the few templates being used. When changes are needed, this gives one central place for discussion and revision. After there is consensus for the change, interested editors can quickly apply them. Creating a page which displays each template also helps to locate templates which don't follow the agreed upon format.
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classes could be added to the site's global stylesheets. The meta-templates could then be replaced with the CSS classes in relevant pages. This would accomplish the same purpose — maintaining uniform style across the site — without placing a burden on the server. This also allows the visual style to
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While they can be extremely useful and convenient, it is proposed that they be avoided due to concerns that may not be immediately obvious: Meta-template schemes can be fragile and hard for new editors to understand. They may also provide an avenue for mass-vandalism and impact maintenance efforts.
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Nested template schemes are complex and prohibitively difficult for the average editor to grasp. This is particularly true in non-technical areas where the subject expert, who knows best what information should be presented in a template, is not able to edit the template due to the use of esoteric
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Thus, caution is warranted for those nested templates which are widely used indirectly. A sub-sub-sub-template could be vandalised with offensive content. These could be difficult to notice immediately, because the sub-template is not edited often and appears on only one or a few
Watchlists, and
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Template links created by meta-templates also frequently cause problems for template namespace maintenance. If a
Template:A is in use on several pages, but then is changed to either add or remove Template:B, any article-level template links to "B" are not updated until each article is edited or
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When a page is edited, a list of all templates in use on that page is stored in the database. This list can be seen when in edit mode as a list of links at the bottom. Not only are the templates that are directly called listed there, but any higher-level meta-templates as well. This feature was
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which have been set - are sometimes created by users who are unfamiliar with the better alternatives. Conditionals should generally be avoided, unless there is a significant advantage in their use. If they must be used, then the following methods for conditional logic are available and highly
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vector, since changing it or any component used in it would flush a substantial percentage of the site caches, which are critical to site performance and normally serve some 75–80% of all hits. Making even one subtle change, like the addition of a space, causes the effect.
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It should remembered, however, that it is possible and useful to write a meta-template which will only be used on a few or even a few hundred pages. Conversely, there are templates, such as cross-reference templates, which are very widely used without being meta-templates.
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coding. As a result, routine maintenance and changes are neglected, improper usage can proliferate, and innovation suffers. The solution, meant to become an easy replacement, becomes more difficult than the function it was meant to improve. Clear article source
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Is the desired effect only achievable through a meta-template, or can a template of basically the same appearance be made without them? If the same effect can be achieved differently, without significantly more trouble, a meta-template should be
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created as a helpful aid for editors, in order that they can easily tell what templates are being used on a page in case they want to edit one of them. Meta-templates clutter this list, making it unclear to editors exactly which link is correct.
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You should not use meta-templates without good reason. If you do create one, be open to other methods which achieve the same end, and be prepared to trade functionality in favor of avoiding the problems with meta-templates.
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clear template source are most preferred, though it is understandable if complex code is moved to the template. If this is the case, steps should be taken to reduce complexity to a minimum.
253:— Some templates and categories are used with the goal of helping editors find articles under a specific topic area of interest. For this use, it is often more valuable to create a
210:-- This method is very common and designed to display default alternative text only if a particular parameter is -not- set. Very simple, but not very powerful for complex needs.
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allow certain standard text to be included on many pages, usually with the idea that in the future, any changes to that text block can be changed in one place. The term "
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already maintain an area for reporting articles that need work. (Note that categories also heavily load the servers, for similar reasons.) See
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Is the template likely to be high-profile? High-profile templates cause more server load, and so are less appropriate for meta-templates.
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Schemes using layers of nested templates to mimic conditional expressions — to selectively hide or show text or images based on the
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Knowledge (XXG), or is it a primarily decorative feature? Even useful templates should be weighed against the problems above.
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for its implementation was not established within a reasonable period of time. If you want to revive discussion, please use
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Will later editors understand how this works? On the other hand, will later editors understand the alternative method?
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Because of vandalism and the potential server load problems described above, several
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Any template which is used on a very high percentage of pages is an excellent
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The reasons listed on this page argue against using meta-templates.
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If you are considering using a meta-template, ask these questions:
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