Escaping shortcode conditionally

[pavelevap]

Using additional brackets is the official way to "escape" a shortcode. e.g. [[escaped]]

Using additional brackets [[shortcode]] in a post works only when the plugin (function) for this shortcode is active. When deactivated, additional brackets are shown in the post. It is annoying for many users, because editors sometimes test a plugin, write about it in a post with shortcode example and after some months this plugin is deactivated. Now there will be additional brackets, breaking their example code.

Input:

[[shortcode_that_does_not_exist]]

Expected output, regardless of whether that plugin is active:

[shortcode_that_does_not_exist]

Actual output, if plugin is not active:

[[shortcode_that_does_not_exist]

[edited by Mark Jaquith]