Find Records
- Eric E. Snyder (Unlicensed)
Introduction
Enter can be used to search data records. The Find function enables the user to query data in the current form for records matching specific values or simple expressions in one or more specific fields joined by the logical operator AND. Matching records are displayed in a tabular format below the query in the Find Records dialog box. Individual records can be selected from the table for display in the original form, including images and option fields, which cannot be rendered or would be difficult to interpret in tabular format. Find is most appropriate for quickly identifying records for modification or update in the context of data entry.
Search using Find
Objective
Using the Enter component of Epi Info™ 7, the system enables the user to identify records by performing numerical or string searches on specific fields and displaying the results in a tabular format.
Preconditions
Enter is running. A project containing a form is loaded. The form has been populated with multiple data records.
Postconditions
The user has selected a subset of record based on the content of one or more of the record's fields.
Stimulus/Response Sequence
| Use of Find Records | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stimulus: Response: | User clicks Find button on button bar in main Enter window. A dialog box entitled "Find Records" opens. The dialog box consists of menu and button bars as well as a frame labeled "Select/Unselect Search Fields" that contains a selectable list with the names of all variables associated with fields from the open form. In the initial dialog box, the area right of the list frame is blank. |
| 2 | Stimulus: Response: | User clicks on one or more (maximum six) variable names on the selectable list. For each variable selected, the variable name appears in the space to the right, followed by an empty field and any format string associated with the variable's field. |
| 3- | Stimulus: | User types search strings into the various search fields. Numeric field variables accept an optional ">" (greater than) or "<" (less than), followed by an integer or decimal number. Text field variables support the use of wildcard asterisk character (" |
. 3a | Response: | If the search returns a match: The Find Records window returns a table with the matching records below the query fields. |
. 3b | . Response: | If the search returns no records: A dialog window labeled "Information" appears with the message: " |
. 3c | . Response: | The search contains a query on a numerical value that contains a non-numeric character: A dialog window labeled "Enter" appears with the message: "The search query for the numeric field ' |
. 3d | . Response | The search on a date field contains and invalid date: A dialog window labeled "Enter" appears with the message: "The search query for the date field ' |
. 3e | . Response: | The search on a checkbox field contains an invalid value: A dialog window labeled "Enter" appears with the message: "The search query for the checkbox field ' |
. 3f | . Response: | The search on a time field contains an invalid value: A dialog window labeled "Enter" appears with the message: "The search query for the field ' |
. 3g | . Response: | The search field for any field type is left blank: A dialog window labeled "Enter" appears with the message: "The search query for the field ' |
No records matching the specified search criteria were found".Functional Requirements
The system shall enable the user to:
- search a project form for records,
- select one to six field variables from the form to search for matching records,
- perform a wildcard search on a given field using:
- the star ("
*") character to match zero to many (0 - n) unknown characters, or - the question mark ("
?") to match a single (1) unknown character,
- the star ("
- perform a search on a given field using the numerical comparison operators ">" and "<",
- select a record identified in a search for display using the form, and
- reset the search fields.