February 2026 - Abstract-Wikipedia

Newsletter #237: Graceful overrides and fallbacks
by Denny Vrandečić 28 Feb '26

28 Feb '26

The on-wiki version of this newsletter can be found here: https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Wikifunctions:Status_updates/2026-02-26 ---- Graceful overrides and fallbacks We are currently looking at different Wikipedias' articles about years in order to test out Abstract Wikipedia’s approach. These are highly structured articles that seem to fit the approach particularly well. One of the requirements for these is to provide headers for sections such as births, deaths, events, or Nobel prizes. The community has created the function header from item in plural (Z28254) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z28254>, initially to be used in the header cells of a table, but it is also perfect for this kind of headers. Given a Wikidata item and a language, it looks for the lexeme connected to that item in the relevant language, and then takes the plural form. This seems to work fine in many languages: in English, it returns “births” <https://www.wikifunctions.org/view/en/Z28254?call=%7B%22Z1K1%22%3A%22Z7%22%…>, in Dagbani “N-dɔɣi” <https://www.wikifunctions.org/view/en/Z28254?call=%7B%22Z1K1%22%3A%22Z7%22%…> , *etc.* In German it returns “Geburten” <https://www.wikifunctions.org/view/en/Z28254?call=%7B%22Z1K1%22%3A%22Z7%22%…>, which in my opinion would also work, but the German Wikipedia articles about years seem to prefer the past participle “Geboren” <https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Lexeme:L409117#F1> instead of the plural noun. We could now either change the function – and sometimes that’s the right choice – or we could provide a hard-coded list of overrides. The function Births header text (Z31799) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31799> implements such a pattern: in implementation get from override, else use header from item (Z31802) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31802> it first takes a look in this multilingual text <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31798> whether the given language is there, and only if not, it uses the function to get the right word. This pattern allows us to override what the function would otherwise create. Another pattern is to provide a fallback: what if none of the available functions to generate the text work for a given language? Sentence that something begins (Z31405) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31405> creates a sentence that something has started. We introduced it a few weeks ago <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Wikifunctions:Status_updates/2026-02-13>, falls back to default cross-lingual fragment that sth started (Z31406) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31406>, which gets the label of the subject in the requested language and attaches an emoji, in this case 🚀. Now, it is debatable whether that is a better solution than creating nothing, but it demonstrates a pattern where, in the case of missing functions, some placeholder is being created. These two patterns, overrides and fallbacks, allow us to deal pragmatically with real-life scenarios when generating texts in many different languages. Abstract Wikipedia will be launching soon, and we are excited to see what patterns you will be using when writing articles, and what the first articles will be that you will create. Recent Changes in the software This week, we improved how literal parameters are displayed in function calls. Previously, when adding a literal parameter, it would be shown in expanded form, even when there was a simple, usable collapsed form available (for example, for boolean true/false using a radio control instead of a drop-down). These will now show in their compact form from the start (T417749 <https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T417749>). Nicolas Verignon talk at Celtic Knot 2025 Last year at Celtic Knot 2025 <https://meta.wikimedia.org/wiki/Celtic%20Knot%20Conference%202025>, Nicolas Vigneron <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/User:VIGNERON> was presenting on Wikifunctions. A recording of the presentation is now available and can be watched on Commons <https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Celtic_Knot_2025_recording.webm?sta…>. The talk starts at around Minute 53, and goes for about twenty minutes. Thanks to Nicolas for the presentation and spreading the word! Volunteer’s Corner on March 2 The next Volunteers’ Corner will be on Monday, 2 March 2026 at 18:30 UTC <https://zonestamp.toolforge.org/1772476200>. We plan to have our usual agenda: there will be time to ask questions and discuss all matters arising, and, if we have time, write a function together. Everyone is welcome to join us on Google Meet <https://meet.google.com/xuy-njxh-rkw>. Fresh Functions weekly: 16 new Functions This week we had 16 new functions. Here is an incomplete list of functions with implementations and passing tests to get a taste of what functions have been created. Thanks everybody for contributing! - apply two-argument function: validated arguments (Z31684) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31684> - Wikipedia link for Wikidata item if available (Z31697) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31697> - URL string of Wikidata sitelink (Z31703) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31703> - Natural number as list of Booleans (Z31716) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31716> - pad start of list (Z31721) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31721> - Korean add (-i/-ga) to the end of a noun (Z31742) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31742> - validated function call as quote (Z31754) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31754> - Typed list has as its last item (Z31758) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31758> - list ends with other (Z31763) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31763> A complete list of all functions sorted by when they were created <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Special:ListObjectsByType?type=Z8&orderb…> is available.

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Newsletter #236: A sneak preview of Abstract Wikipedia
by Denny Vrandečić 20 Feb '26

20 Feb '26

The on-wiki version of this newsletter can be found here: https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Wikifunctions:Status_updates/2026-02-20 Due to the embedded images, in case the Email does not render well, you can go to the Website. ---- A sneak preview of Abstract Wikipedia <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/File:Abstract_Wikipedia_prototype_-_Kolk…>Screenshot of the current prototype of Abstract Wikipedia, showing a two sentence article about Kolkata. <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/File:Abstract_Wikipedia_prototype_-_1769…>Screenshot of the current prototype of Abstract Wikipedia, showing an article about the year 1769 with a preview in English. <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/File:Abstract_Wikipedia_prototype_-_1769…>Same article about the year 1769 with a preview in Dagbani. Note that the Dagbani word for *Events* is not available and thus leads to an error message. <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/File:Abstract_Wikipedia_prototype_-_1769…>Same article about the year 1769 with a preview in German. Abstract Wikipedia is going to have its public preview within the next few weeks. We gave the prototype a first internal twirl with the team, and we are really excited about where we are. You can find four screenshots here using test content, one about Kolkata and three about the year 1769 with previews in English, Dagbani, and German. This is a very preliminary prototype, so don’t read too much into the screenshots. We have identified a number of things we want to improve during our session working on it, and we have already fixed a number of these. We are working hard on making it easier to use. Even after our initial launch of it, we plan to spend Abstract Wikipedia's early days working with you to improve the interface in steps to make it less technical and more welcoming, once you demonstrate that it can and will be used at all. What you see in the screenshot are two panels: on the left hand side, the list of function calls that represent the abstract content, and on the right hand side a preview of the article in a language. The screenshots show two articles: one about Kolkata, with two rather complex sentences, and three about the year 1769, which shows a more structured article and how it could be created. The three screenshots provide previews of the output text in three different languages. Note that the functions used are based on a partially-modified set of Wikifunctions; these are not all exactly the functions that are in Wikifunctions right now, but have been changed here or there locally for the prototype. We are excited to share our progress, and would love to hear back from you! What do you think? Recent Changes in the software This week, we upgraded Z6894/'Same Wikidata enum instance' <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z6894> to check for invalid inputs, and return a Z516/’argument value error’ <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z516> if any are present. Previously, these situations would result in a much less helpful error, from JavaScript: *cannot read properties of undefined*. Excitingly, Wikidata sitelinks are now being imported by Fetch Wikidata entities (Z6820) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z6820> whenever a Wikidata item is fetched (T382795 <https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T382795>). A sitelink connects an item with a page about that item, which exists on Wikipedia or some other Wikimedia project. In Wikifunctions, each sitelink is now represented as an instance of a new type, Wikidata sitelink (Z6039) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z6039>, which contains keys for: - site (e.g., 'enwiki' or 'dewikiquote'), - language of the site (as a Natural language (Z60) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z60>), - project the site belongs to (e.g., 'wiki' or 'wikiquote'), and - title of the referenced page, and - URL of the page. When Z6820 receives a nonempty list of Natural language (Z60) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z60> in its third argument, it imports only the sitelinks to sites in that language. Additionally, there is a new built-in function, Fetch Wikidata sitelinks ( Z6839) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z6839>, which provides greater convenience when one only needs to get the sitelinks for a particular item. This function, like Z6820, takes a list of natural languages and filters for those languages. It also allows for filtering by the project of the sitelinks. We imagine this will be useful for making fragments for Abstract Wikipedia such as those that want to link to Wikipedia articles. Last but not least, we fixed a UX issue when moving a complex Object up or down in a list. Previously, the UI would incorrectly update the content and display. We spotted this during our work on the forthcoming Abstract Wikipedia interface, but fixed this to work correctly in Wikifunctions too ( T416788 <https://phabricator.wikimedia.org/T416788>). Fresh Functions weekly: 21 new Functions This week we had 21 new functions. Here is an incomplete list of functions with implementations and passing tests to get a taste of what functions have been created. Thanks everybody for contributing! - start fragment in Korean (Z31563) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31563> - intro for year in Arabic (Z31572) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31572> - prepend reversed first list to second list (Z31580) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31580> - all k-diagonals of matrix (Z31585) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31585> - get k-diagonal of list of lists (Z31587) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31587> - depth of list of lists up to jaggedness (Z31592) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31592> - are all elements equal? (Z31600) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31600> - dimensions of list of lists (Z31605) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31605> - size of matrix (Z31612) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31612> - generate range of Integers (Z31619) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31619> - date (idwiki) (Z31648) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31648> - perimeter of circle with radius (Z31661) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31661> - Convert Malay rumi to jawi (Z31670) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31670> - label for Wikidata item with fallback (Z31676) <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Z31676> A complete list of all functions sorted by when they were created <https://www.wikifunctions.org/wiki/Special:ListObjectsByType?type=Z8&orderb…> is available.

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17 Feb '26

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Can I pay someone to write a report for me?
by annietiernan0＠gmail.com 17 Feb '26

17 Feb '26

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Can I pay someone to write a report for me?
by annietiernan0＠gmail.com 17 Feb '26

17 Feb '26

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Can I pay someone to write a report for me?
by annietiernan0＠gmail.com 17 Feb '26

17 Feb '26

Yes, you can absolutely pay a professional to manage your documentation. If you are looking for an expert to write my report for me, our platform, Assignment Help ie, specializes in crafting high-quality, research-driven reports specifically for the Irish education system. We handle everything from technical and business reports to specialized QQI assessments, ensuring every project is 100% human-written and free from AI detection. Our team follows strict Irish university rubrics and formatting standards, delivering structured, evidence-based content that helps you secure top grades. With 24/7 support and affordable pricing, we make it easy for you to meet tight deadlines with total professional confidence. visit us:https://www.assignmenthelp.ie/report-writing-service

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Can I pay someone to write a report for me?
by annietiernan0＠gmail.com 17 Feb '26

17 Feb '26

Yes, you can absolutely pay a professional to manage your documentation. If you are looking for an expert to write my report for me, our platform, Assignment Help ie, specializes in crafting high-quality, research-driven reports specifically for the Irish education system. We handle everything from technical and business reports to specialized QQI assessments, ensuring every project is 100% human-written and free from AI detection. Our team follows strict Irish university rubrics and formatting standards, delivering structured, evidence-based content that helps you secure top grades. With 24/7 support and affordable pricing, we make it easy for you to meet tight deadlines with total professional confidence. visit us:https://www.assignmenthelp.ie/report-writing-service

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Can I pay someone to write a report for me?
by annietiernan0＠gmail.com 17 Feb '26

17 Feb '26

Yes, you can absolutely pay a professional to manage your documentation. If you are looking for an expert to write my report for me, our platform, Assignment Help ie, specializes in crafting high-quality, research-driven reports specifically for the Irish education system. We handle everything from technical and business reports to specialized QQI assessments, ensuring every project is 100% human-written and free from AI detection. Our team follows strict Irish university rubrics and formatting standards, delivering structured, evidence-based content that helps you secure top grades. With 24/7 support and affordable pricing, we make it easy for you to meet tight deadlines with total professional confidence. visit us:https://www.assignmenthelp.ie/report-writing-service

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Can I pay someone to write a report for me?
by annietiernan0＠gmail.com 17 Feb '26

17 Feb '26

Yes, you can absolutely pay a professional to manage your documentation. If you are looking for an expert to write my report for me, our platform, Assignment Help ie, specializes in crafting high-quality, research-driven reports specifically for the Irish education system. We handle everything from technical and business reports to specialized QQI assessments, ensuring every project is 100% human-written and free from AI detection. Our team follows strict Irish university rubrics and formatting standards, delivering structured, evidence-based content that helps you secure top grades. With 24/7 support and affordable pricing, we make it easy for you to meet tight deadlines with total professional confidence. visit us:https://www.assignmenthelp.ie/report-writing-service

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Can I pay someone to write a report for me?
by annietiernan0＠gmail.com 17 Feb '26

17 Feb '26

Yes, you can absolutely pay a professional to manage your documentation. If you are looking for an expert to write my report for me, our platform, Assignment Help ie, specializes in crafting high-quality, research-driven reports specifically for the Irish education system. We handle everything from technical and business reports to specialized QQI assessments, ensuring every project is 100% human-written and free from AI detection. Our team follows strict Irish university rubrics and formatting standards, delivering structured, evidence-based content that helps you secure top grades. With 24/7 support and affordable pricing, we make it easy for you to meet tight deadlines with total professional confidence. visit us:https://www.assignmenthelp.ie/report-writing-service

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Abstract-Wikipedia February 2026