Template:Tlx

Template documentation

Wiki markup		Output
{{Tlx|Template|first parameter|second|third|…|tenth}}	⇒	{{Template|first parameter|second|third|…|tenth}}
{{Tlx|first parameter|…|third|tenth}}	⇒	{{Template|first parameter|second|third|…|tenth}} if they might contain an equality sign (=)
{{Tlx|Template|<nowiki>first|second|…|999th</nowiki>}}	⇒	{{Template|first|second|…|999th}} (when you need to show more than ten parameters)

Purpose and naming

Mnemonically 'Template link expanded', after {{Tl}}'s 'Template link'.

This template takes another template's name and some associated pipe-tricked positional parameters (or 'pass parameters'), and displays them as a demonstrative example of how the template could be coded, literally. Its primary use is in instruction and documentation.

• Specifics: Up to ten pass parameters (numbered or nowiki'd keywords) for the specified template are displayed as 'placeholders', and more than ten parameters can be displayed using a coded vertical-bar (|/|/|/|…). A keyword parameter can be used with the equality sign HTML entity (=, = or {{=}} or in nowiki tags: "<nowiki>param=value</nowiki>"; see § Examples below.
• Exceptions: If the intended template lists numerous parameters, then perhaps this template should really not be used, and just hardcode the usage with <code><nowiki>...</nowiki></code>, for example: <code><nowiki>{{Template|param1=23|size=250px|otherparams…}}</nowiki></code>. If a vertical display with parameters on their own lines is desired, this can also be laid out manually in this manner, or more rapidly done with <pre>...</pre> tags.

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• If given no additional parameters except the template name, as in {{Tlx|Template name}} or {{Tlx|1=Template name}}, the output is functionally equivalent to the {{Tl}} macro template: a blue hyperlink nested in double braces — the same as a user would apply the template (without parameters) — but with a noticably clearer font and more character spacing on most modern browsers.
  • Comparing the output of the two templates side-by-side: Tl ⇒ {{Template}} versus Tlx ⇒ {{Template}}
• Comparatively, {{Tl}} will not take or display additional parameters, and for minor technical reasons, may be preferred for mere listing and referencing in long pages involving a lot of template expansions.
• {{Tlx}} has a named parameter, |subst=, which when set to any value will place the string subst: before the template name, linked to Help:Substitution. This is useful to indicate when a template should be substituted; for example {{Tlx|Template|subst=y}} will display {{subst:Template}}.

Usage

{{Tlx}} is a generalization of {{Tl|x}}, et cetera, with arguably more readable output. This depends on the browser, but most of them use too narrow a form of {, | and } in conjunction with hyperlinks tend to be hard to read.

Invocation

{{Tlx|Template name}}

{{Tlx|Template name|param}}

{{Tlx|Template name|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10}}

{{Tlx|Template name|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10&vert;more}}

{{Tlx|Template name|param&equals;value}}

Up to 10 placeholders for parameters of the specified template

Examples

Code	Result	Remark
{{Tlx|Template}}	{{Template}}
{{Tlx|Abc}}	{{Abc}}
{{Tlx|ABC}}	{{ABC}}
{{Tlx|AbC}}	{{AbC}}
{{Tlx|Template|one}}	{{Template|one}}
{{Tlx|Template|one|two}}	{{Template|one|two}}
{{Tlx|Template|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10}}	{{Template|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10}}
{{Tlx|Template|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11}}	{{Template|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|…}}	Accepts up to ten parameters, then …
{{Tlx|Template|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11}}	{{Template|1|2|3|4|5|6|7|8|9|10|11}}	But | instead of the pipe character will let you simulate more
{{Tlx|Template|<nowiki>14|m|ftin|abbr=out|sp=us</nowiki>}}	{{Template|14|m|ftin|abbr=out|sp=us}}	You can also show an unlimited no. of parameters as a single <nowiki>...</nowiki> string
{{Tlx|Template|x=u}}	{{Template}}	Trying to show parameters with set values using a normal = won't work
{{Tlx|Template|x&equals;u}}	{{Template|x=u}}	However, using the HTML entity for the equality sign (&equals; or &#61;) works just fine for that
{{Tlx|Template|x{{=}}u}}	{{Template|x=u}}	{{=}} costs a few more ms of parser time per page load, but is okay too
{{Tlx|Template|<nowiki>x=u</nowiki>}}	{{Template|x=u}}	Sticky <nowiki>...</nowiki> is a little messy, but works all the same
{{Tlx|Template| |two}}	{{Template|two}}	Trying to show an empty positional parameter won't work using just a space
{{Tlx|Template|2=|3=two}}	{{Template|two}}	Setting a named positional parameter to a null value is sneaky, but doesn't work either
{{Tlx|Template|&nbsp;|two}}	{{Template| |two}}	But the HTML entity for a non-breaking space (&nbsp;) will get it done
{{Tlx|Template|&#8288;|two}}	{{Template|⁠|two}}	A true WikiNinja™ will always prefer the invisible Word Joiner character (&#8288;) for that, though
{{Tlx|Template|&vert;two}}	{{Template||two}}	The HTML entity for a pipe (&vert;/&verbar;/&#124;/&VerticalLine;), though a kludge, looks okay too
{{Tlx|Template|{{!}}two}}	{{Template||two}}	And speaking of kludges, {{!}} is much worse, since it costs extra parser time on each page load again
{{Tlx|Template|2=one|two}}	{{Template|two}}	If a named and an unnamed positional parameter end up in a knife fight, the last one supplied always wins
{{Tlx|Template|3=two|2=one}}	{{Template|one|two}}	The order they're specified in doesn't matter, positional parameters are shown in numerical order by name