Topic on Extension talk:TemplateData/Flow

Hello, in chapter TemplateData object it is stated:

• key: "params", right of this: "Param_ objects" and below Param_ object_
• key: "sets", right of this: "Set_ objects" and below Set_ object_
• key: "maps", right of this: "Maps object_" and below Maps object_

Quite confusing! Regards --W like wiki (talk) 21:44, 15 February 2024 (UTC)

I agree it's not very easy to understand, but I'm not sure what you are missing. "sets": [] is an array of set objects. A single set object is described below.

Same for "params": {}, except it's not an array but an object that maps parameter names to param objects.

"maps": {} is documented a little different, as a single thing. The descriptions and examples are correct, as far as I can see.

Ok Thiemo, thanks for your answer! So Params and sets end in "s" because it is the plural and can contain several parameterS and setS. The "s" in maps is not because there are several maps but because "it maps" something (3rd person), right!?

"maps" also contains a set of map objects. I updated the text a bit to hopefully make it a bit more clear.

Ok, thx Thiemo! Your edits helps, but for maps I still try to find the logic (I am not a programmer, my view is more the one of someone who tries to understand), so:

• params = Object containing param objects
  • params is explained here: Help:TemplateData#params
  • a single param object is explained here: Extension:TemplateData#Param object
• sets = Array containing set objects
  • sets is still in development.
  • a single set object is explained here: Extension:TemplateData#set object
• maps = Structure (type Object) containing map objects
  • What is now explained under Extension:TemplateData#Maps structure the maps-structure (as said in the chapter title) or a single map object from where it is linked to from the description above under chapter "TemplateData object"? And what is a "structure"? MfG

Do you plan to work with Citoid or another tool that relies on maps? I find that maps are best understood when approached from that side.

No, i found here because I was working on the doc page of C:Template:TemplateBox and I am generally interested in good doc or help pages, and here for me it is still not clear. In chapter "TemplateData object" it is explained:

"Maps (Structure) containing map objects"

so both are different but map objects links to the chapter called Maps Structure. So which of both is described there? Not so clear. Thx

I really don't know what else I could add. "maps" is a single data structure that goes multiple levels deep. The first level lists consumers by name. The next level lists parameters as they are known by the consumer and maps them to one (as a string) or more (as an array) parameters as they are named in the template.

The consensus seems to be to call the second level in this data structure a "map object".

Not really related, but if you are interested in helping others a good place to start is to convince the community that cryptic parameter names like "1d" or "1sv" are an entirely unnecessary barrier.

Ok thank you! I think thats make it clear. I posed a short introduction to the section with your point, I think that also helps others.

And yes, "1d" and "1sv" are really short, I agree with you, was not my creation and I have not the rights to make such big changes for a so widely used template. But in commons many widely used templates using very short parameter names.

My point to make it better (and not having the rights to change the parameter names) is to place comments into a second copy-paste-form (>>my work), because the auto-generated one don't offers this. So if you can help, to introduce this oportunity to TemplateData to place help comments for the parameters in the autogenerated copy-paste-template would be very helpfull! Beste Grüße!