Generating HTML Select Widgets in MediaWiki: A Complete Guide to Raw HTML Processing

Discover how to properly generate HTML select widgets in MediaWiki with raw HTML processing, ensuring your JavaScript functions correctly.
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Generating HTML Select Widgets in MediaWiki: A Complete Guide to Raw HTML Processing

Creating a functional and interactive HTML select widget within a MediaWiki extension can present some challenges, especially when it comes to properly rendering HTML instead of raw code. If you're struggling with this issue, you're not alone! Many developers face similar hurdles when integrating custom HTML and JavaScript into their MediaWiki projects. In this guide, we'll delve into the common problem of raw HTML displaying instead of rendering in MediaWiki and guide you through a straightforward solution.

The Problem: Raw HTML Displaying Instead of Rendering

When building your MediaWiki extension, you might find that your HTML code—including select widgets and embedded JavaScript—shows up as plain text rather than being executed. This can be incredibly frustrating, especially when you've tested your code in a standalone model and it works perfectly.

For example, you may attempt to create a <select> widget with an onchange event that triggers some JavaScript, but end up seeing the HTML code rendered on the page instead. Here's a snippet that illustrates the issue:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

So, how can you ensure that MediaWiki interprets your HTML correctly?

The Solution: Properly Returning HTML in MediaWiki

To resolve this issue, you need to inform MediaWiki that the output you're returning is meant to be interpreted as HTML and not just raw text. Here’s a breakdown of the steps you need to follow:

Step 1: Returning HTML with Proper Flags

While you were on the right track using return [$html, 'markerType' => 'nowiki'], it’s crucial to enhance this line. The MediaWiki parser requires specific flags to ensure that your HTML is interpreted rather than sanitized away as plain text. Here's the correct way to return your HTML:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

Step 2: Turning Off $wgRawHtml

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

However, it’s recommended to turn this off for better security practices. While you may be in a controlled environment where you are the only editor, $wgRawHtml can pose security risks on publicly editable sites by allowing users to submit arbitrary HTML.

Conclusion

With these steps, you will be able to generate an HTML select widget that functions correctly on your MediaWiki page. Your final PHP code for rendering should look like this:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

By following this guide, you'll ensure not only that your code works flawlessly but also that your MediaWiki extension remains secure and robust. Keep testing and iterating on your code, and soon you'll have a fully functional widget ready for your internal wiki!

If you have any further questions or need additional assistance, feel free to reach out or leave a comment below! Happy coding!