Support for empty URI in links

[hypercubed]

These is some use to creating links (via link manager) with empty URIs. If the URI is empty then the link tag itself should not be included in the get_links() output.

I do this by adding

if ($the_link != 'http://')

to lines 243 and 245 in wp-admin/links.php

I'd do it this way. Would not displaying empty links harm anyone?

I'd do it this way. Would not displaying empty links harm anyone?

No, please don't do it that way. I use links with empty URI as a place to store a list. For example if I wanted a list of images or something that don't need to be associated with a link. I also use the built in ability to show a random "link" to display a random quote. I'd just like it if the empty link was removed but the text and description still appear.

For example if I wanted a list of images or something that don't need to be associated with a link. I also use the built in ability to show a random "link" to display a random quote.

Yeuch. Should totally non-standard stuff like this really be supported? Surely it would be far better to install one of the zillion "Random Quote" plugins than it would to abuse the link system like this?

No. Links are connections to other URLs.

hypercubed, your uses for Links are creative and interesting but core isn't built for that. Use plugins or theme edits to make your sidebar do whatever you want.