$user_profile_link = (!empty($url_show_profile)) ? preg_replace("/{user_id}/", $image_row['user_id'], $url_show_profile) : ROOT_PATH."member.php?action=showprofile&".URL_USER_ID."=".$image_row['user_id'];
$user_name_link = "<a href=\"".$site_sess->url($user_profile_link)."\">".$user_name."</a>";
I see your point. Althought, coders who publishes MODs doesn't always realize that the $site_sess->url needs to be added - even though it is included after the $user_profile_link (which, in this case, is the $user_name_link). A good example would be to look at the
Dreamboard MOD. Meaning, if users follows this topic, as an example, it would allow them to understand the purpose of adding that class name.
For instance, assuming you're actually creating the $user_profile_link string and you do
not add the $user_name_link below, what would actually happened ? I guess you can understand that both of us gets the point of coding. Althought, some distributors might also have excellent skills but aren't simply familiar with that class name.
From there, wouldn't that be considered a risk ?
And to answer you question "why would you need see the difference when its simply the replace line?" my answer is: sometimes people have already modifyed line, and replacing it with the default "fixed" line could make it problematic for them, instead they could apply only the changes mentioned.
Well, the way you mentionned it - it would be like I was the author of the actual forum and it ain't the case. Meaning, if you're saying there are different results comparing to the Quote and Code command, then it is up to the ADMIN level of this forum to intergrate the proper colors into the Codes command as well (since it is already a part of the Quote one).
Meaning, this function will, typically, affect all users and they'll be pointed to use other functions (which isn't their responsability). To conclude, if you're having problems with some functions - from the forum's core (and if it cannot be customized from your Forum Control Panel) - then I guess we shouldn't be advertised for something we can't use can't we ?
Now, what I'm saying is that you aren't the author neither but you should consider the fact there are numerous sorts of Forum scripts on the net and you should try some until it could satisfy the DEV's needs. Of course, that would also involve importing the current database and all current topics that has already been posted in the past - until now (which is not an easy task).
So, as a result, this matter is 50/50 since users can't customize the codes from their end and you can't easily consider to switch scripts simply by clapping.
Meaning, users shall use all available codes they'd like - since they're showing up from their account from their post window. That's all there is really . . . Otherwise, how many users will you need to tell to switch from Code to Quote on this forum (even by making an announcements) ?
Long terms short : Simply de-active the Code function if it's causing you trouble and we'll only use Quotes.