Refactored (Shorter) Answer

In order for a Web to be automatically recognized in the Webname.TopicName syntax for a link, the Webname must:

• begin with one or a sequence of uppercase letters
• contain no additional uppercase letters after the initial sequence (it can be all caps, AFAIK)
• contain no punctuation (tested underbars)
• it probably cannot contain numerals (not tested)

Thus, the following web names work in the Webname.TopicName syntax for a link:

• Know
• TWiki
• TWIKI (?? not tested)

These do not:

• rhk_notes
• rhkNotes
• AbiWord
• Abiword7 (?? not tested)

This was discovered in the 20010315 beta release. Presumably it occurs in all releases since the Webname.TopicName syntax was introduced.

MartinCleaver (below) suggests that it should be changed (I think).

-- RandyKramer - 08 Jun 2001

Longer Answer (will consider deleting next time I review)

It is best if the name of a Web (a TWiki.Webname) is a capitalized word, or a combination of words with one or more upper case letters at the beginning and no upper case letters elsewhere -- in other words, not a WikiWord and not a word beginning with lower case.

A Web name beginning with lower case (including a bumpyWord) will not be recognized as a Web name when used in the webName.TopicName link syntax. However, such a Web name seems to work except for this feature.

A WikiWord Web name will cause confusion in the same TopicName syntax mentioned above. I have not tried such a Web name, so I don't know whether it will work aside from this feature.

For reference, the Webname.TopicName link syntax is displayed as:

• TWiki for a web and topic that exists (entered as TWiki.WebHome)
• Nonexistentweb for a nonexistent web (entered as Nonexistentweb.WebHome)
• NonExistentTopic for a nonexistent topic in an existing web (entered as TWiki.NonExistentTopic)

Aside: I wonder if punctuation (like underbars) or numbers are allowed in a Web name? Update: Nope, at least not underbars -- they cause the same problem with the Webname.TopicName link syntax.

Aside: I didn't notice this information in the TWiki documentation -- if it is truly not there it should be added -- at least in the section on adding a new web. I started rewriting some of that documentation to make it easier for me to understand, but that effort will not be finished before I have totally successful installations of TWiki on my LAN and on SourceForge.

• TWiki version: 20010315 beta (AFAIK it applies to all versions to date that allow the Webname.TopicName link syntax?)
• Web server: Apache
• Server OS: Mandrake

-- RandyKramer - 06 Jun 2001

Answer

On the contrary, I think that any WikiWord should be able to become (the context for) a web. See WhatDifferenceBetweenATopicAndAWeb. In itself a web is a concept, and in my mind all concepts are labelled by WikiWords.

-- MartinCleaver - 07 Jun 2001

I think Randy is discussing the current state of TWiki, not possible new features, which are discussed over in Codev.WebHome.

-- RichardDonkin - 08 Jun 2001

Just for the record (in reverse order):

• Yes, I was discussing the current state of TWiki (specifically the 20010315 beta), but

• What Martin describes would be nice -- it would provide more opportunity to "nest" webs (and topics). (If it doesn't confuse me more than I'm already confused

-- RandyKramer - 08 Jun 2001

I would like to see this 'nested-web' feature too, it seems to be a natural evolution as particular webs grow, i.e. a cluster of pages develop that are all on the same area. Currently the only option is to name them with a consistent prefix or suffix, or use a suitable TWikiCategory, and do an embedded search within the 'area' page.

-- RichardDonkin - 09 Jun 2001