Templates allow you to post large sections of text or complicated sections of code while only typing a few characters. Templates work similar to regular links, but instead of [[double square brackets]], you use {{curly braces}}. To call a template, just type the title of the template between the double braces. You don't need to include the "Template:" prefix; the MediaWiki software automatically searches within the Template namespace for what you're looking for. Only if the page you're looking for is in a different namespace do you need to specify it.
| Source | Result | Notes | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| {{user en}} |
|
This calls Template:User en. All content there (that is marked to be included, see below) appears where I type the template code. | ||
| {{Blast san/userboxes/User IQ|138}} | {{Blast san/userboxes/User IQ|138}}
|
I get a red link because no page exists at Template:Blast san/userboxes/User IQ. | ||
| {{User:Blast san/userboxes/User IQ|138}} |
|
Specification of the User namespace causes the userbox to appear. This shows that pages from any namespace can be used as templates. |
In the example using a specified namespace, you'll notice the |138 at the end. The usage of | means that you're invoking a parameter in the template.
A parameter is a (usually) optional argument a template can take, in order to alter the result. Using the code {{{1}}} on a template and then transcluding the template means that the text inserted into either |1= or the first unnamed parameter will appear where {{{1}}} was in the template's text. Named parameters, such as {{{article}}} mean that when the template is transcluded, using |article=ASDFGHJKL will make ASDFGHJKL appear where {{{article}}} was in the template's text.
To make a parameter default to a certain value, simply change {{{parametername}}} to {{{parametername|This is all the default text until three }'s are encountered, if parameter is unspecified when transcluded; {{aiv}} as opposed to {{aiv|warn}} for instance}}}.