Forum:Intersection lists

I'm trying to figure out a way to perform a specific strange task, preferably dynamically. I have two potential solutions, neither of which can work now, but maybe somebody more knowledgeable than me will have a better idea.

Basically, this wiki is on wearable computing, and wearable computers are made from a bunch of independent components. I'd like for it to be possible to get from one point to another by the type of connector. For example, if a particular computer only has RCA composite video output, you'd need a display that supports RCA composite video input, so I'd like to generate a list of displays with RCA composite video input. Ideally I'd like this list to be generated, rather than requiring people to add every component to a bunch of different lists (computers with RCA composite video output, computers supporting USB devices, computers supporting bluetooth devices, etc etc etc), or at least mentioning them in only one place.

My first idea was to use DPL to intersect pages in a particular category (e.g. computers) with pages that link to a connector's page (e.g. RCA composite video). This isn't ideal, but would work. I'd like to find something better, but will request DPL if there isn't any option.

The other idea was to make the templates that these pages use also include the page in a number of categories. Of course it would be possible to include the page in the categories manually, but this is less than ideal. What would really be best is if the template had something like |video=S-Video, RCA composite video, VGA which would both include that list in the displayed text, and add pages using this template to Category:Computers with S-Video output (and the rest). This would require LoopFunctions, which is unavailable and probably for good reason :). This is also nice because the list would only be in one place ... of course requiring manual categorization could work, but isn't self-maintaining.

So, is there some other clever way to do this that I just haven't discovered? Some magic connection of plugins? Thanks for any help.

GregorR 01:38, 13 January 2009 (UTC)


 * There is a third option which is much more lightweight than DPL; Semantic MediaWiki. I don't personally know if it would save you anything over the other two other than a performance increase over DPL. --Sky (talk) 01:51, 13 January 2009 (UTC)