Wiki

A wiki is a type of website that users can edit or add to using only a web browser, without requiring special software. Wiki pages are connected by numerous links, and the history of every change is stored so that earlier versions can be reviewed or restored.

The term wiki comes from Hawaiian, meaning 'quick'. Ward Cunningham created the first system of this type in 1995, WikiWikiWeb, seeking a rapid way for software developers to share ideas. The name 'WikiWiki' is still used when referring to that original system.

How it works

A wiki operates through software called a wiki engine that stores pages in a database. The user clicks an edit button and writes the text in simple markup language or using a visual editor. When saved, the new version appears while the old one remains in the page's history. This means every change can be tracked and reversed.

Management and quality

Because anyone can edit, wikis require safeguards. These include protected pages, revision logs, spam prevention measures, and administrators with authority to revert or block edits. Some wikis require registration before editing, while others are open to anyone.

Uses

Wikipedia, launched in 2001, is the most well-known example of a wiki, running on MediaWiki software. Wikis are also used within companies and organizations to share work documentation, and by communities with particular interests such as gaming or technical knowledge. Various wiki engines exist, both open-source and commercial.