The previous example on Search Function exposes the basic capability only. It shows basic SEARCH concepts for Newbies. But I dare not use this very raw function even on my PC. More features are needed before it can be distributed.

In this example, we refine the AMS Search Function further. This time, we can decide on what to do with the search results.
- We can save the results and group them.
- We can weed out irrelevant items.
- We can resave the modified list.
- We can reload previous search results or
- We dont have to keep the results at all.

With AMS, we can develop APPs according to our own delight and satisfaction.

Improved Search Utility

For this purpose, our Project will now create a HOST FOLDER on the desktop automatically. It will save the search results there according to groups. Each group has it’s own text file. You can change the location of the FOLDER.

Improved Search Utility

If the search resulted in hundreds of files, the LISTING of RESULTS in the ListBox may take some time. Our users may think that the APP has HANGED ( I dont know the right word ). This is not good for business.

Improved Search Utility

Lastly, it is your responsibility to add ERROR CHECKING for each AMS ACTIONS.

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Today, I’ve added a Search function to our Mini Email Address Book. Thanks to Reteset who helped me in correcting my codes.

A Clean-up for Mini Email Address Book

As you can see, I did a bit of cleaning up on the interface and add more buttons, including the Search Utility in a DialogEx. You will also noticed that I used Labels to show Number of Items in ListBoxes. It is auto-updated whenever any change occurs in the ListBox.

The Search Utility searches items in a List Box. The items belong to a Group selected by a ComboBox. The Search Results are displayed in another ListBox. By using Radio Buttons, you can choose whether to accumulate the results or empty it for new results only. By using a ComboBox you can choose to Search by Text ( Name ) or by Data ( Email ). Check Screen-Shot below.

Search Utility in a DialogEx

I’ve also optimized the scripts by transforming repetitive actions into functions. In fact, there are more that can be optimized but I leave that to you. I’ve decided to not include data verification at this time.

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Upto this stage, we still use Text Files with each line containing only 2 data, i.e., one for Name and another  Email only. So you can see that our Project need much more improvements if we want more features added.

Also please take note that, everytime you SHARE DATA between GROUPS or MAKE NEW GROUPS from a Search, there are overlaps of GROUP members. This basically means, an ITEM with the SAME INFO  are SHARED across many groups. The problem is, when we edit the info of such item in 1 group, we also need to update the same item if it is hosted in other groups as well. This redundancy issue must be resolved.

The best and efficient way is to use SQLite or XML. With SQLite and XML, we can set unique IDs for every ITEM. When we edit an item which belongs to several groups, we update only once for all groups. Saves lots of time and avoids confusion. And the best thing of all is that, we can add more details for every item. We’ll see this in the next topic.