I work with databases all of the time. You can mimic a sort of can-queries screen where you can have a toggle between novice and expert by adding a text box where you can add your own select criteria by just typing them in. I am guessing that these should only be using the SELECT statement and nothing that can harm the database. so the text box will have the words SELECT on top of it and then a text box with the fields listing. Then another caption that reads ORDER BY and another text box so that they can sort their results as well. Of course these is only for the experts. They Novice users will have only the list of fields as you specified and the drop down list with AND/OR.
Always trust your Agent, RR-007 On Wed, December 20, 2006 5:22 pm, Bill Lane said: > I would go a step further with Patrick's suggestion. Have a look at > how a range of applications handle filtering. For example the way you > define a playlist within iTunes is easily achieved with Flex and > provides a flexible and easy to understand interface for most users. > > Bill Lane > > --- In [email protected], Patrick Mineault > <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >> >> I would suggest looking at what google does. It allows and/or searches >> in a completely unobstrusive manner. >> >> Patrick >> >> Mike Anderson a écrit : >> > >> > Hello All, >> > >> > I was wondering how you more seasoned SQL programmers (as it > relates to >> > the User Interface side of things), provide the ability of > advanced SQL >> > Queries to novice users - but in a "easy to use" and "non-threatening" >> > manner? >> > >> > We have an extensive parts database, and the only way to truly search >> > this thing, is by giving users the ability to perform robust > "and", "or" >> > as well as "and/or" type queries. >> > >> > Back in the HTML days, I would simply give the users 4 sets of blanks, >> > in which they could put in 4 unique sets of search criteria - with > "And" >> > or "Or" in a DropDown box. >> > >> > This worked well enough I guess... but for the power-users, who wanted >> > to perform more advanced queries - with more than 4 search criteria, I >> > was always in a quandary as to what to do. There is a fine line > between >> > functionality and usability, especially when it comes to Data-Driven >> > applications that are very "Text Intensive". >> > >> > With Flex having the ability to offer such spectacular user > interfaces, >> > I was wondering what techniques I could use NOW, that could offer a >> > truly powerful user experience - but still *keeping it simple*. >> > >> > I would love to hear some input regarding this topic - >> > >> > Thanks in advance for all your help, >> > >> > Mike >> > >> > >> > > >
