=

1. This template allows the use of the equal sign "=" inside parameters of other templates, e.g. {{en|... a {{=}} b ...}} for a = b
   This functionality (without parameter) is now kept by the magic word.
2. Unfortunately, Unicode has no other equal sign that can be used for the other functionality:

With parameter 1 any other text string (e.g. a tag, a code sequence, or everything else) can be passed, e.g. {{=|xyz}} → xyz

Explanation:

The only way I know for performing iterations is the LUA function frame:expandTemplate, which needs obligately a template.

When just some text should be passed, it can be done with this pseudo template {{=}} which does nothing than just passing any text.

This function is used very often but the transclusion count does not work

Uses Lua: Module:Iteration

When more than one parameter is specified, the list of all parameters is passed;

in LUA, parameters can be param{{=}}value