Author: cyp

1

1.1: Issue

{{#tag:ref}}s in a <references> block supposedly cannot themselves contain _unnamed_ <ref>s (see also #2, below)

1.2: Test case

===Article text===
Lorem ipsum<ref name="expl_A" group="n" />
===Explanatory notes section===
<references group="n">
{{#tag:ref
|AAAA <ref>Ref #1</ref>
|group="n"|name="expl_A"}}
</references>
===References section===
<references />

1.3 Test case result

Failure. For one, it will generate a <ref> tag defined in <references> has no name attribute. message. Obviously, the <ref> here does not need a name. Secondly, the <ref> will not be dealt with. Third, just adding a name does not solve the problem. See #2, below.

2

2.1: Issue

For a _named_ <ref> (compare case #1) inside a {{#tag:ref}} inside a <references> block, the ref handler will carp and
ignore the ref.

2.2: Test case

===Article text===
Lorem ipsum<ref name="expl_A" group="n" />
===Explanatory notes section===
<references group="n">
{{#tag:ref
|AAAA <ref name="ref1">Ref #1</ref>
|group="n"|name="expl_A"}}
</references>
===References section===
<references />

2.3 Test case result

Failure. Error message <ref> tag with name "ref1" defined in <references> is not used in prior text. The <ref> is not dealt with.

3

3.1: Issue

ref handler will carp and ignore cross-refs to an existing, predefined, named <ref>s (compare case #1/#2)

3.2: Test case

===Article text===
Lorem ipsum<ref name="expl_A" group="n" />
Carpe diem<ref name="ref1">Ref #1</ref>
===Explanatory notes section===
<references group="n">
{{#tag:ref
|AAAA <ref name="ref1" />
|group="n"|name="expl_A"}}
</references>
===References section===
<references />

3.3 Test case result

Failure. Error message <ref> tag with name "ref1" defined in <references> is not used in prior text. The <ref> is not dealt with.

6

6.1: Issue

Ungraceful handling of refs that have no backlinks

6.2 Test case

===Article text===
Some text (no refs)
===References section===
<references>
{{#tag:ref
|This is a ref without backlinks
|name="some_name"}}
</references>

6.3 Test case result

The ref handler will emit an "error" that <ref> tag with name "expl_B" defined in <references> is not used in prior text. This is unnecessary bitchiness that second guesses the editor. What the ref handler really ought to do is print it without backlinks (in a separate <ul>). If the name has a typo, editors will figure it out. [the same should be done for <ref>s in a <references> block that have no name] Editors ought not to be screamed at.

Notes

• These problems are all limited to tags inside <references>...</references>. They don't apply outside the <references> block.
• The ref handler is much too emphatic. It probably needs to deal with input gracefully, and not shake its fist at editors so much. Please.