Support For [[wikilinks]]
Introduction
In the realm of note-taking and knowledge management, wikilinks have emerged as a powerful tool for creating a web of interconnected ideas. While initially met with skepticism, wikilinks have proven their practicality and are now supported by various projects, including Cosma. In this article, we'll explore a simple way to support wikilinks in Foam, a popular note-taking tool, and discuss the benefits of this feature.
The Problem with Wikilinks
Wikilinks, denoted by double square brackets [[ ]], allow users to create links to other notes or files within their note-taking system. However, without proper support, wikilinks can be cumbersome to manage and resolve. This is where the proposed solution comes in – a directive for a relative or absolute document root, which can be added as a --document-root flag in the CLI.
Proposed Solution
To support wikilinks in Foam, we propose the following steps:
1. Add a Directive for a Relative or Absolute Document Root
The first step is to add a directive for a relative or absolute document root. This can be achieved by introducing a new flag, --document-root, which can be used in the CLI to specify the root directory of the note-taking system. This flag can be used to resolve wikilinks and ensure that the correct file is opened.
2. Resolve to the First Markdown File Found with the Name Inside [[<file without ".md">]]
Once the document root is specified, the next step is to resolve the wikilink to the first markdown file found with the name inside [[<file without ".md">]]. This can be achieved by searching the document root and its subdirectories for a markdown file with the specified name.
3. Handle Ambiguity
If there are two or more files with the same name, it's up to the user to resolve the ambiguity. This can be achieved by displaying a list of possible files and allowing the user to select the correct one.
Emergent Features
The proposed solution has several emergent features that make it a valuable addition to Foam and other note-taking tools. One of the most significant benefits is the ability to visualize what other internal links a note is referencing. This can be achieved by displaying a list of linked notes or files, allowing users to see the connections between their ideas.
Comparison with Other Tools
Other tools, such as Foam, Cosma, and Obsidian, already support wikilinks and have implemented similar features. However, the proposed solution offers a simple and elegant way to support wikilinks in Foam, making it a valuable addition to the tool.
Conclusion
Supporting wikilinks in Foam is a simple yet powerful way to enhance note-taking and knowledge management. By introducing a directive for a relative or absolute document root and resolving wikilinks to the first markdown file found, users can create a web of interconnected ideas. The emergent features of this solution, including the ability to visualize internal links, make it a valuable addition to Foam and other note-taking tools.
Future Work
While the proposed solution is a significant improvement over the current state of wikilinks in Foam, there are several areas for future work. One potential area of improvement is the development of an official Obsidian plugin, which would allow users to seamlessly integrate wikilinks into their Obsidian setup.
Implementation
To implement the proposed solution, the following steps can be taken:
1. Add a --document-root Flag to the CLI
The first step is to add a --document-root flag to the CLI, which can be used to specify the root directory of the note-taking system.
2. Modify the Wikilink Resolver
The next step is to modify the wikilink resolver to search the document root and its subdirectories for a markdown file with the specified name.
3. Handle Ambiguity
If there are two or more files with the same name, the resolver should display a list of possible files and allow the user to select the correct one.
Example Use Cases
The proposed solution has several example use cases, including:
1. Creating a Web of Interconnected Ideas
By supporting wikilinks, users can create a web of interconnected ideas, making it easier to see the relationships between their notes and files.
2. Visualizing Internal Links
The emergent feature of visualizing internal links allows users to see what other notes or files a note is referencing, making it easier to navigate and understand their note-taking system.
3. Seamlessly Integrating with Other Tools
The proposed solution can be seamlessly integrated with other tools, such as Obsidian, making it easier to use wikilinks across multiple platforms.
Conclusion
Q: What are wikilinks and why are they useful?
A: Wikilinks are a type of link that allows users to create a connection between two notes or files within their note-taking system. They are denoted by double square brackets [[ ]] and are useful for creating a web of interconnected ideas, making it easier to see the relationships between notes and files.
Q: How do wikilinks work in Foam?
A: In Foam, wikilinks work by allowing users to create a link to another note or file by typing [[<file without ".md">]]. The link is then resolved to the first markdown file found with the specified name.
Q: What is the proposed solution for supporting wikilinks in Foam?
A: The proposed solution involves adding a directive for a relative or absolute document root, which can be added as a --document-root flag in the CLI. This flag can be used to specify the root directory of the note-taking system and resolve wikilinks to the correct file.
Q: How does the proposed solution handle ambiguity?
A: If there are two or more files with the same name, the proposed solution displays a list of possible files and allows the user to select the correct one.
Q: What are the emergent features of the proposed solution?
A: The emergent features of the proposed solution include the ability to visualize what other internal links a note is referencing, making it easier to navigate and understand the note-taking system.
Q: How does the proposed solution compare to other tools that support wikilinks?
A: The proposed solution offers a simple and elegant way to support wikilinks in Foam, making it a valuable addition to the tool. Other tools, such as Foam, Cosma, and Obsidian, already support wikilinks and have implemented similar features.
Q: What are the benefits of supporting wikilinks in Foam?
A: The benefits of supporting wikilinks in Foam include:
- Creating a web of interconnected ideas
- Visualizing internal links
- Seamlessly integrating with other tools
- Enhancing note-taking and knowledge management
Q: How can users implement the proposed solution?
A: Users can implement the proposed solution by adding a --document-root flag to the CLI and modifying the wikilink resolver to search the document root and its subdirectories for a markdown file with the specified name.
Q: What are the potential areas for future work?
A: Potential areas for future work include:
- Developing an official Obsidian plugin
- Improving the performance of the wikilink resolver
- Adding additional features to the proposed solution
Q: How can users get started with supporting wikilinks in Foam?
A: Users can get started with supporting wikilinks in Foam by following these steps:
- Add a
--document-rootflag to the CLI - Modify the wikilink resolver to search the document root and its subdirectories for a markdown file with the specified name
- Test the proposed solution to ensure it is working correctly
Conclusion
Supporting wikilinks in Foam is a simple yet powerful way to enhance note-taking and knowledge management. By introducing a directive for a relative or absolute document root and resolving wikilinks to the first markdown file found, users can create a web of interconnected ideas. The emergent features of this solution, including the ability to visualize internal links, make it a valuable addition to Foam and other note-taking tools.