# Testing BB Coding So I'll Remember Them

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349>\
**Category:** About This Message Board\
**Created:** [February 22, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349 "2020-02-22T15:16:24Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 10\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 3:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/1 "2020-02-22T15:16:24Z")

</div>

While I’m not an emoticon or smilie sort of guy, most posters on the Dope use them appropriately, 🆒, and I’ve found they enhance the point the author is trying to make.

ASGuy “is the kindest, warmest, bravest, most wonderful human being I’ve ever known in my life.” :dubious: — Bennett Marco in _The Manchurian Candidate_ (1962)

And now, for something completely different. My days of employed

```auto

computer programming

```

are over because I really wasn’t too good at it. But I continue my recreational

```auto

software engineering

```

because I can be crappy and no one but me cares.

On occasion, a poster will make a conditional statement\* with an asterisk to make a reference to the statement qualifier, usually located at the end of the post.

As a printer and former **Ace Typographer** , 😕 I hate underlined type. The very bane of civilized typography. Underlined type is much worse than garish colored text, especially coral.

\*And the qualifier will be smaller (-1) in size. Kind of like my Johnson.  
\*And the qualifier will be unknown (0) in size.  
\*And the qualifier will be bigger (+1) in size. Not like my Johnson.  
\*And the qualifier will be “-2.”

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/2 "2020-02-22T17:43:23Z")

</div>

💾 ⏏, 🤷

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\
**Post date:** [February 22, 2020, 9:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/3 "2020-02-22T21:30:40Z")

</div>

We used to have a list of vBulletin codes in our FAQ but that seems to have vanished. (Probably eaten in some upgrade.)

I will put it back in the FAQ … in the meantime, here’s a list from vBulletin you may find useful.

There is a good chance not all of these codes are available in our version; it’s something every admin builds into their individual system. If you find something on the list that might be usful please let me know and I’ll see if I can add it in.

> **[vBulletin.org Forum - BB Code List](https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/misc.php?do=bbcode)**
>
> This is a discussion forum powered by vBulletin. To find out about vBulletin, go to http://www.vbulletin.com/ .

Jenny  
your humble TubaDiva  
Administrator

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 1:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/4 "2020-02-23T13:08:07Z")

</div>

I took ~all the example codes from that page. The first block is the source (in noparse mode, which clearly works). The 2nd block is what happens. Notice that a lot of latter stuff doesn’t work. Also note that it has “s” for strikethrough as opposed to “del” for us. The header codes are also different. Etc.

* * *

[noparse]  
**this text is bold**  
this text is blue  
this text is two sizes larger than normal  
this text is in the courier font

```auto

this text is highlighted

```

this text is left-aligned  
this text is indented  
[j.doe@example.com](mailto:j.doe@example.com)

> **[vBulletin.org Forum](https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/)**
>
> This is a discussion forum powered by vBulletin. To find out about vBulletin, go to http://www.vbulletin.com/ .

[thread]42918[/thread]  
[post]269302[/post]

[ul]  
[li]list item 1[/li][li]list item 2 [/ul] [/li][ol] [li]list item 1[/li][li]list item 2[/li][/ol]

[list=a]  
[li]list item 1[/li][li]list item 2[/li][/list]

![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/1X/1d4ba888442f1cc7c14e22a6e5e5df301182b9ed.gif)

(Not linked)

```auto

 <script type="text/javascript">
 <!--
     alert("Hello world!");
 //-->
 </script>
 

```

```php

 $myvar = 'Hello World!';
 for ($i = 0; $i < 10; $i++)
 {
     echo $myvar . "
";
 }
 

```

```html

<img src="image.gif" alt="image" />
<a href="testing.html" target="_blank">Testing</a>

```

> [@](#):
>
> Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

[a=anchor]Anchor Text[/a]  
[align=center]text alignment[/align]  
[floatright]This text will float right of object below it.[/floatright]  
[h2]Header[/h2]  
[h3]Header 3[/h3]  
[high]This text is highlighted[/high]

This is a code to create a horizonal line  
[hr]22[/hr]

[imglft][http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/cpstyles/vBulletin\_3\_Frontend/cp\_help.gif[/imglft]](http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/cpstyles/vBulletin_3_Frontend/cp_help.gif%5B/imglft%5D) [imgrft][http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/cpstyles/vBulletin\_3\_Frontend/cp\_help.gif[/imgrft]](http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/cpstyles/vBulletin_3_Frontend/cp_help.gif%5B/imgrft%5D)  
[jira]vbiv-123[/jira] [lft]This text will float left of object below it.[/lft]

[name]Xenon[/name]  
[node]123456[/node]  
[note]This is a note placed within the content.[/note]

[process]Settings \> Options \> Turn Your vBulletin On and Off[/process]  
[rft]This text will float right of object below it.[/rft]  
test  
[warning]Before you upgrade your forums make sure you have a full and complete backup of your database[/warning]  
[/noparse]

* * *

**this text is bold**  
this text is blue  
this text is two sizes larger than normal  
this text is in the courier font

```auto

this text is highlighted

```

this text is left-aligned  
this text is indented  
[j.doe@example.com](mailto:j.doe@example.com)

> **[vBulletin.org Forum](https://www.vbulletin.org/forum/)**
>
> This is a discussion forum powered by vBulletin. To find out about vBulletin, go to http://www.vbulletin.com/ .

[thread]42918[/thread]  
[post]269302[/post]

[ul]  
[li]list item 1[/li][li]list item 2 [/ul] [/li][ol] [li]list item 1[/li][li]list item 2[/li][/ol]

[list=a]  
[li]list item 1[/li][li]list item 2[/li][/list]

![](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/original/1X/1d4ba888442f1cc7c14e22a6e5e5df301182b9ed.gif)

(Not linked)

```auto

 <script type="text/javascript">
 <!--
     alert("Hello world!");
 //-->
 </script>
 

```

```php

 $myvar = 'Hello World!';
 for ($i = 0; $i < 10; $i++)
 {
     echo $myvar . "
";
 }
 

```

```html

<img src="image.gif" alt="image" />
<a href="testing.html" target="_blank">Testing</a>

```

> [@](#):
>
> Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet

[a=anchor]Anchor Text[/a]  
[align=center]text alignment[/align]  
[floatright]This text will float right of object below it.[/floatright]  
[h2]Header[/h2]  
[h3]Header 3[/h3]  
[high]This text is highlighted[/high]

This is a code to create a horizonal line  
[hr]22[/hr]

[imglft][http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/cpstyles/vBulletin\_3\_Frontend/cp\_help.gif[/imglft]](http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/cpstyles/vBulletin_3_Frontend/cp_help.gif%5B/imglft%5D) [imgrft][http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/cpstyles/vBulletin\_3\_Frontend/cp\_help.gif[/imgrft]](http://www.vbulletin.org/forum/cpstyles/vBulletin_3_Frontend/cp_help.gif%5B/imgrft%5D)  
[jira]vbiv-123[/jira] [lft]This text will float left of object below it.[/lft]

[name]Xenon[/name]  
[node]123456[/node]  
[note]This is a note placed within the content.[/note]

[process]Settings \> Options \> Turn Your vBulletin On and Off[/process]  
[rft]This text will float right of object below it.[/rft]  
test  
[warning]Before you upgrade your forums make sure you have a full and complete backup of your database[/warning]

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/5 "2020-02-23T14:10:49Z")

</div>

Testing BB Coding, Round 2

Thank you, TubaDiva, for pointing me to even more obscure BB codes. **ftg** , just wanted to try a few.

I’ve found occasional use of what I call strikeout type. For example, on March 3rd I am a precinct Inspector for the California primary election. I have every intention of rigging overseeing the election.

For anyone taking exception to the previous paragraph, as the recently departed Robert Conrad said, “I dare ya.”

I have written posts where a bulleted list is useful. So let’s test the list function.

Steps needed to make shrimp tempura:  
[ul]  
[li] you _must_ use a deep pot or fryer[/li][li] start heating the oil[/li][li] rinse and prepare shrimp (best if shrimp are at room temperature)[/li][li] following package directions, make batter[/li][li] coat shrimp and immerse, cook until it looks good[/li][li] let drain for a minute, then eat[/li][/ul]

[HR]  
Is there a horizontal rule just above this text? BB code says yea. SDMB might say nay.

I spy a BB code “name,” which refers somehow to a SDMB (or vBulletin) users name. Well, as [name]ASGuy[/name], the kindest, warmest, bravest, most wonderful human being … ever known, I should be so acknowledged.

I see there is a “no parsing” element. Let’s try that. [noparse]As a printer and former **Ace Typographer** , 😕 I hate underlined type.[/noparse]

[note]This is a BB code “note.” Telling folks something I think is worthy of mention.[/note]

[warning]This is a BB code “warning.” Warning folks of something.[/warning]

That is all. END END

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\
**Post date:** [February 23, 2020, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/6 "2020-02-23T20:42:06Z")

</div>

I did find our code page.

[http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/misc.php?do=bbcode](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/misc.php?do=bbcode)

Thanks for all the hard work there!

Jenny  
your humble TubaDiva  
Administrator

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/7 "2020-02-24T01:42:16Z")

</div>

I looked at the page **TubaDiva** provided. Now I know what “del” does. **ftg** , now I understand your message reference. Anyway, now testing…

During the March California primary election, I, as precinct Inspector, will be [del]rigging[/del] overseeing our precinct.

That is all.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![TubaDiva](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tubadiva/32/507_2.png) [@TubaDiva](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TubaDiva)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 2:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/8 "2020-02-24T02:05:28Z")

</div>

Are you voting early and often?

Jenny

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/9 "2020-02-24T12:55:48Z")

</div>

Yeah, “sup”, “sub”, “spoiler” are regularly used here.

One item on that list seems problematical: symbol.

(The following is surrounded by “symbol” brackets.)

[symbol]abcdefghujklmnopqrstuvwxyz ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ `1234567890-=;',./ ~!@#$%^&\*()\_\_+|}{:"?\>\<[/symbol]

Doesn’t give Greek letters and what not. And hasn’t for quite some time. (But the font changes to a Times-Roman style for some reason.)

Hold on about that. Just looked at this post in another browser and I get symbols! So, YMMV, which isn’t great.

To do Greek letters and other random symbols, I Google, for example, for “pi” and copy and paste the symbol off a web site. E.g., π.

I hadn’t noticed “indent” before. Wondering when I would need to use it.

To get a wide array of symbols places like [emojipedia](https://emojipedia.org/) are helpful.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![ASGuy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/838e76/32.png) [@ASGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ASGuy)\
**Post date:** [February 24, 2020, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/testing-bb-coding-so-ill-remember-them/848349/10 "2020-02-24T14:08:35Z")

</div>

> [@TubaDiva](#):
>
> Are you voting early and often?
> 
> Jenny

That’s such a Chicago thing, so, no.