Working Demo of Search Builder With Real Data
So, over the past week or so I've mentioned the idea of a Domino "search builder" a couple of times. That's all very well, but never as good as a real demo. So, I added the builder logic to the Flex demo that lives in dext.nsf. You can now interrogate the contents of that database using your own "view builder".
Since I last mentioned the builder logic I've fixed a couple of bugettes that you guys highlighted. Mainly that it was too easy to have a mismatch between the number of open and closed brackets. The code now adds enough brackets to the start/end of the query in order to balance it out. As a bonus this means you can also build queries of any complexity by only opening brackets and then allowing the builder to add the closing one at the end, thus addressing an issue Rob raised.
I also added "wildcard" searching with the "Is Like" option for string-type fields. If you select "Is Like" you can type in things like "j*ke" (or more correctly "j%ke").
Have a play and see what you think. There are some obvious limitations but I think it works quite well for the most part.
Here are a few example of sample search filters which return results:
Another
Another
If any of you want to see the Flex code behind it, just say.
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You rock! :)
Could you fix view source, I would love to see flex code
(HTTP Web Server: Couldn't find design note - srcview/index.html)
Yes please!
BTW...Really cool and thanks.
i'm a developer working on domino based web app, interested in the code, pls share me a copy, thanks!
Nice demo Jake, as always ! It would great to see the code if possible?
Glad you all like.
I've put all the source files in there now, so you should be able to right-click view-source the Flex app.
Jake
You know, if you added an export to excel, IBM should seriously consider bundling this. Very nice.
Man I'm downloading Flex Builder 3 today! That looks sweet. I love the fact that the whole interface is under Flash control. No more browser incompatibilities.
The part that worries me is accessibility, but Adobe claims to have this handled (http://www.adobe.com/accessibility/products/flex/).
So that leaves SEO. I started listening to podcasts about this very subject (http://www.theflexshow.com/blog/index.cfm/2008/9/10/The-Flex-Show-Episode-54).
In his opinion the fact that Flash allows the text within it to be index isn't getting much traction with the search indexing robots. His recommendation is to create a non-Flash version of the web site for the indexers and people without Flash installed.
It sounds like doing everything twice but, if you keep the non-Flash version simple and use most of the Domino defaults, perhaps not too much extra work.
I'm working on a major overhaul to my Notes/Domino infrastructure so I definitely going to give Flex a try.
Thanks for leading the way.
Peace,
Rob:-]
p.s. what version of Notes are you using? I'm on 7. Do you recommend 8 or 8.5? rs
Hi Rob,
If accessibility and SEO are issues then I'd be wondering whether Flex is a good fit in the first place.
I see Flex fitting best where neither issue matters in the first place.
Domino version doesn't matter at all really. You could run this and most Flex app perfectly well on any version of Domino. Even R5.
Jake
bill e. Funny you should mention the Excel button as that's what the "real" version I'm developing for my client (from which this derived) has. You know where I am IBM ;o)
Thanks a ton for making that available Jake. Watch for the post man early next week. ;-)
@All, Jake would never say it but I would just like to direct everyone's attention (those of you downloading the source) to the "My Wishlist" link at the bottom of this page. That's all I'm saying.
Thanks Jerry. You're a gent!
Great job!
I just built a similar smart query system with Jquery. I have not really solved the bracket issue those. I think you came up with a great solution!
Matt
i'm a developer working on domino based web app, interested in the code, pls share me a copy, thanks!