doc/todo/else_parameter_for_map_plugin.mdwn



[[!tag patch]]
[[plugins/map]] (and I) could benefit from a bonus parameter:
else="Display this if no page matches the PageSpec"

This was quite simple, so I implemented this (branch "map" in my
ikiwiki repo, see my user page for the up-to-date URL). Not patched the
documentation yet, I'm waiting for feedback first, but I'll do it for sure. -- [[intrigeri]]

Can't a [[plugins/conditional]] be for this?
--[[Joey]]


Hmmm, what do you mean? Adding a syntax such as the one below?
Or something else?


    \[[if test="map(" then="..." else="..."]]


What would you write in the then clause?
I'm not opposed at all to rewrite my two-liner, but I don't understand.
--[[intrigeri]]


\[[if  test="foo/*" then="""
[[map pages="foo/*"]]
""" else="no pages"]]

--[[Joey]]


I'm not convinced: the syntax you're proposing implies to duplicate
the pagespec (once in the test clause, and once in the map query), which I find
not only inelegant, which I can live with, but also tiring and unpractical:
my else suggestion
finds its roots in map queries with rather long pagespecs. On the other
hand, if I'm the only one using map in such a way, I can live with this
heavy duplicated syntax without bloating the map plugin with features
no-one but me needs. On the other other hand, the patch is a 3-liner.
I'm not fixed yet, I'll think about it. --[[intrigeri]]


Write a [[plugins/template]] which accepts a pagespec and an
"else" clause, and then you won't have to duplicate the
pagespec. --[[JoshTriplett]]