Template talk:Infobox software

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Field labels: wrapping, order, pluralization[edit]

Currently, the template is set up to prevent any of the field labels from wrapping. Where the author or operating system fields are used, this can lead to the data being squished and can result in the infobox being substantially longer than necessary. Further to Psantora's unopposed suggestion a few years ago, I want to suggest that we remove the blanket nowrap style for labels and instead allow all labels to wrap except for "Other names", "Initial release, "Written in", "Included with", "Available in", and "As of". On the one page I have tested this on (MSN Messenger), it shortens the infobox by three lines while also making the infobox look less awkward.

I would also suggest that the type field be moved immediately underneath the other names field, from its current location at nearly the bottom of the infobox. In most cases, the software type is a two- or three-word summary of what the piece of software is used for, which is most useful for someone unfamiliar with it.

Lastly, rather than using an s in parentheses to show optional pluralization, in most cases, we can use {{pluralize from text}} to detect whether the data is plural. In cases where it is unsure, (s) could be retained.

I have added the necessary code to the template sandbox. Any thoughts? Graham (talk) 03:42, 9 March 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Could more fields be filled in from Wikidata automatically?[edit]

E.g. the license field? Or "programming languages"? Heinrich5991 (talk) 07:12, 2 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Feel free to add code to the sandbox version of the template. Keep in mind that {{Wdib}} must be used, and that only sourced data can be imported, per the Wikidata in Infoboxes RFC. – Jonesey95 (talk) 20:51, 2 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]

open source / closed source[edit]

Add a row to describe if a software is open source or closed source, etc.

No, even though the licence might be proprietary, one still needs to know if the software is open or closed source. Jidanni (talk) 04:02, 4 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]

I think that is what |license= is for. If not, please provide an example article where that parameter is insufficient. – Jonesey95 (talk) 03:29, 5 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Auto Wikidata value for initial release[edit]

I suggest adding {{wikidata|property|edit|reference|P348|P548=Q56514665}} to {{released}} to make it look for the release marked as initial release on Wikidata. See Polkit for an example. The RedBurn (ϕ) 10:09, 9 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]
Note that an error is shown if the reference doesn't have a title, is there a way to hide that error?. The RedBurn (ϕ) 16:56, 9 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Claims pulled from Wikidata need to be sourced. You probably need to use Module:WikidataIB instead of {{Wikidata}}. Feel free to sync the sandbox with the live template and then make a proposed change. It looks like the article you linked has a citation for the release date, so it should work fine. – Jonesey95 (talk) 23:48, 10 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]

Thanks for the reply. Unfortunately, Module:WikidataIB can't display references, so it can't be used in infoboxes (even though it's made for that). And the main contributor (RexxS) doesn't want to add support for references.

Here's an example : {{#invoke:WikidataIB|getValueByQual|qid=Q528709|P348|qualID=P548|qvalue=Q56514665|fwd=ALL|osd=no}} shows 0.3

The RedBurn (ϕ) 16:04, 11 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]

"Template:Infobox software2" listed at Redirects for discussion[edit]

The redirect Template:Infobox software2 has been listed at redirects for discussion to determine whether its use and function meets the redirect guidelines. Readers of this page are welcome to comment on this redirect at Wikipedia:Redirects for discussion/Log/2024 May 11 § Template:Infobox software2 until a consensus is reached. Magioladitis (talk) 08:44, 11 May 2024 (UTC)[reply]