full text (Boolean) advanced search

[Anonymous]

Wish list for next version:

1. Ability to easily add extra fields to product database.
2. Related to 1., a full text (boolean) search capability in
advanced search of product database which, I think, could search these added fields in a boolean way.

Albert Hurd

[jpf]

Programing request Declined......

There is a contribution that does tell you EXACTLY what to do to add feilds to the product database and to access then though your site (product information screens/ordering/admin/searches etc...)

As for a QUICK way. Not really. It need to be totally rewritten so that it dynamically can change the way product information is displayed and used. With SO many differnet requirments that people ask for this is nearly impossable to do.

There is a group of programmers looking at making a version of OSC easier to template and to "ADD" on to with just a few clicks to be able to add a COMPLETE mod....however I think it will a while before you see a number of mods available for it that use this system.

The contribution that I had mentioned that works with MS1/2/3 or MS2-MAX and takes a bit of work but is not too hard. Its the ISBN/Barcode contribution - works for nearly anything you want to add....

Good Luck

[Anonymous]

I was aware of the possibility of dicking with the php code to deal with Question 1. There is still Question 2., viz, boolean search of products database after I have added new fields. I am not sure I will be able to dick with the code to resolve either or both questions since I am such a beginner, but I am willing to give it a try if you think it is possible. As for question 2, I have read relevant sections of mysql manual and full text (boolean) search seems quite simple, maybe simpler than the search code in present osc. My worries are:
a) I don't know all the files I have to change to resolve each question.
b) If I begin to alter the code in any file, it might affect the operation of other modules, like a knitted sweater unravelling, and I will never be able to copo with it

A parenthetical remark concerning the database search in osc. It seems that phrase search with parentheses, eg "product database" gives all occurrences of this phrase, is broken and gives "not found" even though there are occurrences of the phrase. In the next version of the software, thought might be given the mysql code dealing with full text search. I think it might be simpler and would allow boolean (+ and -) as well as phrase searches.

I would appreciate any help you could offer. Thanks for responding.

Albert hurd