A MediaWiki skin template file, which is similar to JazzMeet.php, is a mixture of PHP and XHTML, with a smattering of JavaScript and inline CSS as well. There are a significant number of useful PHP-based MediaWiki functions that can be used (in some cases, re-used) to modify your wiki's skin. In this chapter, we will discuss the following:
The basics of how to use MediaWiki functions in your skin
Useful functions for your wiki's
<head>sectionFunctions for your wiki's content area
Functions for your wiki's interface area
PHP functions are built-in functions of the PHP language. For example, the str_replace function allows you to replace one substring with another, within a string.
MediaWiki functions extend the PHP functions in a way that is helpful for your MediaWiki wiki. Some of these are in the SkinTemplate.php file in the includes directory, and there are yet more functions in the Skins.php file in the same...