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====== Search Facility ======

{{:pergamonmu:general:general-search.png?direct&200 |}}While a number of data entry areas of Pergamon provide limited search facilities in the form of a filtering mechanism, the core search system provides a far more complete means to find records within the Pergamon database. The system not only provides more search criteria, but also a means to search areas of the database which are not inherently 'data entry' areas (such as the Circulations system).

In order to provide as much future expansion and dynamic sizing as possible, the search system is provided in the form of two lists: The first contains a list of criteria which can be modified to provide search parameters, while the second is used to display the results of that search. Within the search dialog, unlike other areas of Pergamon, there are no dedicated data-entry fields.

===== Selecting What To Search =====

The first drop-down list on the search dialog provides a means to select an area of the Pergamon database that will be the subject of the search. The contents of this drop-down list will change according to the licensed areas of Pergamon that are accessible to the user.

===== Entering Criteria =====

As the area of Pergamon that must be search is selected, the possible search fields for that area is displayed down the left-hand side of the criteria list. Different search criteria fields are available for different areas of the database.

In order to enter criteria, select the empty area directly to the right of the required field name to activate data entry into that field. There are four different types of data entry possible, depending upon the nature of the field:

==== Plain text field ====

For criteria that simply require a basic text comparrison, the right-hand area of that field is amde available as a plain text field. Enter the text required into the field and press return. It is possible to use the wild-cards [*] and [%] for pattern matching, but note that the wild-card is invisibly added to the end of any text entered, automatically.

==== Drop-Down List ====

For criteria that require a single known comparrison based upon a lookup list, a pre-formatted context-menu is displayed containing all of the possible options available. Select one of the options, or to deselect a previously selected option.

==== Multi-select list ====

For criteria that simply could match one or many entries within a lookup list, a text field is displayed in order to allow wild-card searching. While this criteria is matched against the contents of a lookup list rather than a single text field, the on-screen text field itself behaves in the same way as the plain text field, including the use of wild-card characters.

==== Check-box field ====

A checkbox field provides a method of matching fields that are inherently boolean - in other words, simple true or false values.

As many criteria can be added as required before starting the search. The interaction between each criteria may be modified by selecting the tick-box on the right hand side of dialog. When displaying [AND], each criteria is combined using the logical AND rule. When displaying OR, each criteria is combined using the logical OR rule.

The search can be started by selecting the [Search] command button. All fields can be cleared for a new search by selecting the [Clear] command button.

===== AND / OR =====

By default, the search system has the '**AND**' box checked. This means that each additional criteria added to the list is regarded as 'AND' boolean logic. In order to find records matching ANY of the criteria entered, turn off the 'AND' checkbox to regard the boolean logic as '**OR**'.

===== Using the Results =====

Once the results are displayed in the second list, they can be utilised by double-clicking the line required. In the case of a search for absolute records, such as catalogue records or Reader, double clicking the line will display that record (only) in an editor. In the case of a funcational area, such as circulation, double-clicking will display the relavant functional area for use.

Note that in the case of funtional areas, the dialog will only be displayed if the record selected is live, or otherwise can still be acted upon (can be modified). Selecting a circulation from the archive for example, will not display the record in a current circulations window.

===== Using the Results to create a List =====

{{:pergamonmu:general:general-search-list.png?direct&200 |}}Once a useful search is available, it can be used to create a repeatable list of records for use with the data-entry management dialogs, and accessible from the [Bookmarks] main menu.

With the results of the search still displayed, select the [Create] toolbar item from within the Search dialog. Add a description for the list when prompted, and select whether the list is personal or public. The list is then added to the [Bookmarks] menu. Remember that the list stores the criteria of the search, not the results - as a result, any search list will automatically find new items which also match the criteria.

As Public Lists are available from the OPAC, creation of Lists in this way is a good way of creating Project reading lists.

In order to delete a list, select the List description from the [Remove] sub-menu. After confirmation, the list is removed from the system.

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