(( safesubst:p(( safesubst:#if(({1))}:(({2))}|1|2))|(({3))}|))
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With this template the parser functions of the ParserFunctions collection with names starting with "#if" can be used in a way such that they do not strip spaces and newlines from the "then" and "else" part. Spaces still do not affect the outcome of the condition. Parameter 1 selects the if-type as "eq", "expr", "exist" or "error" (for #iferror), or empty "||" for a simple if-there (for #if). The template can be repeatedly nested 6 or 7 levels, one inside the other, because the outer-most is completed before running either the then/else inner levels.
This template can be substituted, when the expression or comparison will not change. Functionally, a lead-space character is stored, internally, as a simple blank character. Note, in many cases a null nowiki tag ("<nowiki/>") could be used, without Template:If, to allow a lead-space (such as "<nowiki/> xx") anywhere, but the internal storage puts a 43-character marker for "<nowiki/>" in string length. However, there is no extra expansion depth for a nowiki-tag, such as in trailing space, "zz <nowiki/>".
Usage
Where p is output for a true statement and q is output for a false statement.
((if||x| p | q ))gives " p ". Notice the empty first parameter, seen as two adjacent vertical bars.((if|expr|2<3| p | q ))gives " p "((if|eq| u |u| p | q ))gives " p "((if|exist| Help:Link | p | q ))gives " p "((if|error|((#expr:x))| p | q ))gives " p "
Compare:
((#if:x| p | q ))gives "p"((#ifexpr:2<3| p | q ))gives "p"((#ifeq: u |u| p | q ))gives "p"((#ifexist: Help:Link | p | q ))gives "p"((#iferror:((#expr:x))| p | q ))gives "p"
For example, with a template named Template:Template name containing the code ((#ifeq: (({parameter))} |u| p | q )), entering the code ((Template name|parameter=u)) into an article gives "p", but ((Template name|parameter=v)) gives "q".
The text of either the then-clause or else-clause is only processed and expanded when triggered. Hence, any templates in use are only expanded once the then-clause or else-clause is matched, otherwise they are skipped as merely paired braces, "((" with "))".
Indentation
If indenting the markup, care must be taken to avoid extra newlines when indenting "))" on the next line. An extra bar pipe "|" can be added after the else-clause to complete that text, and allow "))" to then be placed anywhere without adding a newline into the else-clause. For example:
((if|(({1|))} |then found parameter 1|else no parameter 1| ← extra "|" ends else-clause ))
When the else-clause is indented to the next line, a newline (CR/LF) is added:
((if|(({1|))} |then found parameter 1 ← extra newline here |else noparameter 1| ))
To indent the else-clause, split an HTML-form comment, as "<!--" with next line as "-->|else...". Unless each then-clause and else-clause is carefully tested, to watch for extra newlines, then the results are likely to cause broken lines, with extra line breaks for each newline. For that reason, a global edit with simple search-and-replace of "{#if:" to "{if||" is likely to leave newline problems, wherever the original markup was wrapped to indent either the else-clause or "))" of each if-structure. Indenting the then-clause is not a problem.
Performance considerations
Because Template:If must prepare the parameters for #if, #ifeq, #ifexpr, (etc.) there is a slight overhead when using it. Each nested use adds 5 levels to the template expansion depth, so 7 nested if-templates would use 35 levels (5*7) of the 41-level limit.
Using P-if syntax: A similar if-structure can be coded without Template:If, by using the ((P1)) and ((P2)) templates in a "P-if" structure. Template:P1 always returns parameter 1, and P2 returns the 2nd. So, a comparison of 4 versus 3 can be coded using P-if syntax form:
- Example of
#ifexpr:"((P((#ifexpr: 4 > 3|1|2))| then 4 greater| else 4 lower))" - Result for
#ifexpr: " then 4 greater" ← the comparison invoked ((P1)).
- Example of
The expansion depth of a P-if is only 4 levels deep, but nesting of the then-clause or else-clause might be more confusing than using nested levels of Template:if.
- Example of
#if:"((P((#if:(({2|x))}|1|2))| then {2} set| else {2} empty))" - Result for
#if: " else {2} empty" ← the comparison invoked ((P2)).
- Example of
See also
- m:Template:If
- Template:Ifnotempty - for simplicity and to reduce the limitations due to the expansion depth limit, this is a separate template corresponding to #if only.
- Template:Ifexist not redirect - useful because
((if|exist| testLink | yesRtn | noRtn ))returns yesRtn if testLink is a redirect - Help:Conditional expressions