What is bulletin board code (BBC)?
Bulletin Board Code (BBC) is a lightweight markup language used on many online forums or bulletin boards to format posts. It uses specific tags in square brackets [ ] to create formatting effects such as bold, italic, underlined text, create hyperlinks, insert images or quotes, and more. For instance, wrapping a text in [b] [/b] tags make the text bold, while using [i] [/i] tags make it italic. The main aim of BBC is to provide an easy way for users to enrich their posts without needing to learn or use hypertext markup language (HTML) or cascading style sheet (CSS).
How can I use BBCode in my online forum posts?
You can use BBCode by enclosing your text with tags that indicate how you want the text to be formatted. For instance, to make a text bold, you would write [b]your text[/b]. Most online forums have a guide for using BBCode on their platform.
Does BBCode work on all platforms?
While BBCode is widely supported on many online forums, not all platforms support it. Some modern platforms may use other methods like Markdown for text formatting. It's best to check the specific platform's guidelines for text formatting.
Could I create my own BBCode tags?
Yes, if you run your own forum or have access to modify the forum software, you could potentially add custom BBCode tags. However, this requires knowledge of the forum's underlying programming language and BBCode parsing system.
What happens if I use a wrong BBCode tag?
If you use an incorrect BBCode tag or forget to close a tag, the text will likely not be formatted as you intended. The forum software might display the raw BBCode tags, or it could ignore them entirely.
Can BBCode be used for anything other than text formatting?
Yes, BBCode can also be used to insert images, hyperlinks, and even multimedia content into forum posts. For example, to insert an image, you could use the [img]URL of your image[/img] tag.
Does every online forum use BBCode?
Not every online forum uses BBCode. While it's a popular choice for many forums due to its simplicity and ease of use, some forums might use different markup languages like hypertext markup language (HTML) or Markdown. Always check the guidelines of the specific forum you're using.
Would BBCode work in my wordpress blog?
WordPress doesn't support BBCode out of the box. However, there are plugins available that add BBCode functionality to WordPress. Once such a plugin is installed and activated, you can use BBCode in your posts.
What's the difference between BBCode and hypertext markup language (HTML)?
BBCode and HTML serve similar purposes - they both format text. However, BBCode is simpler and safer to use on public forums as it doesn't allow potentially harmful scripts to be run, unlike HTML. BBCode is also easier for beginners to learn due to its straightforward syntax.
Could I use hypertext markup language (HTML) tags instead of BBCode in online forums?
This depends on the specific forum. Some forums do allow HTML, but many disable it due to security concerns. BBCode is generally safer as it doesn't allow potentially harmful scripts to be executed. Always check the guidelines of the forum you're using before trying to use HTML.
What happens if I mix BBCode with hypertext markup language (HTML) tags?
If a forum supports both HTML and BBCode, you could potentially mix them in a single post. However, this can lead to unexpected results, especially if tags are not properly closed. It's usually best to stick to one or the other.
Can BBCode be used to create tables in my posts?
Yes, some versions of BBCode support table creation. You can use the [table], [tr] for table rows, and [td] for table data tags to create a table. However, not all forums may support these tags.
Does BBCode support color formatting?
Absolutely, you can change the color of your text in BBCode by using the [color] tag, followed by an equal sign and the desired color. For example, [color=red] This is red text[/color] would produce red text.
How secure is BBCode?
BBCode is quite secure as it doesn't allow scripts or other potentially harmful code to be executed. The forum software processes the BBCode and converts it into safe hypertext markup language (HTML) for display. However, always ensure you're following the forum rules and guidelines when posting.
What is the most complex thing I can do with BBCode?
BBCode can be used for a variety of complex formatting tasks, including creating tables, inserting images and links, and even embedding multimedia content like videos. However, the exact capabilities depend on the specific BBCode implementation used by the forum.
What resources does the BBC provide for learning about computer programming?
The BBC provides a variety of resources for learning about computer programming. For instance, they have content related to the construction of computer programs aimed at primary school students in years 3 and 4. They also cover the latest news about computer programming.
Would I be able to use BBCode to insert images into forum posts?
Yes, you can use the [img] tag to insert images into your posts. By enclosing the uniform resource locator (URL) of an image within [img][/img] tags, the image will be displayed in your post.
What is a 'nested' BBCode tag?
A 'nested' BBCode tag is when one tag is placed inside another. This allows you to combine different formatting options. For instance, you could create a bold, italic text by nesting the [i] tag within the [b] tag like this: [b][i]Bold and Italic text[/i][/b].
Can I use BBCode to center text?
Yes, you can center text using the [center] tag. Just enclose the text you want to center within [center][/center] tags. For example, [center]Centered Text[/center] would display the text "Centered Text" centered on the page.
What makes BBCode safer than hypertext markup language (HTML)?
BBCode is safer than HTML because it limits what users can do. With HTML, a user could potentially insert malicious code into a webpage. But with BBCode, users can only add simple formatting to their text, not scripts or other potentially harmful elements.
Can I use BBCode in emails?
Typically, no. Most email clients don't support BBCode. They usually use hypertext markup language (HTML) for formatting, if they support formatting at all. However, some email clients may convert certain BBCode tags into corresponding HTML tags.
