Question

I would like a way to locate within a web or TWikiSite any OrphanedTopic (i.e., a topic that is not referenced by any other topic) or any WantedTopic (i.e., a topic that is referenced but not yet defined). Note that when defining an OrphanedTopic, it would probably be necessary to exclude references from such topics as WebStatistics. This capability would be very handy to help ensure a complete web. Ideally, this could be done with a real-time SEARCH variant, but I could certainly live with a scheduled process (e.g. cron job) to construct the pages.

I've looked through the twiki.org site for this issue, but haven't found it. I know that some other wikis (UseMod:UseMod comes to mind) have this capability.

Environment

-- DavidBright - 24 Aug 2004

Answer

Wind River Systems (PeterThoeny) have a plugin I wrote for them that does most of this. Peter may be willing to release it publicly if you ask him nicely. You could then use it as the basis for the other functionality you want (WantedTopic).

-- CrawfordCurrie - 25 Aug 2004

Peter, like the many who have enquired around this topic, I would be very interested in this plugin and I feel it has become a CompetitiveNecessity. Could you make it available publically?

-- MartinCleaver - 11 Jan 2005

See also these topics: ListingAllUndefinedButUsedWikiWords and FindReferencedButNotDefinedWikiWords, both of which provide scripts that sort of accomplish this. I'm experimenting with both at this time; neither is quite satisfactory. If I come up with something I think is better I'll post it.

-- DavidBright - 11 Jan 2005