Projects/Usability/HIG/SearchPattern: Difference between revisions

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    Line 47: Line 47:
    * Use Ctrl+H to show/hide the input.
    * Use Ctrl+H to show/hide the input.
    * Do not hide the input if the filter is an essential part of the application, i.e. when the list of items usually is large.
    * Do not hide the input if the filter is an essential part of the application, i.e. when the list of items usually is large.
    * Show 'Search...' as place holder unless the control is focused. Do not use 'filter' or other labels.
    * Show 'Search...' as place holder unless the control is focused.


    === Implementation ===
    === Implementation ===

    Revision as of 11:39, 30 April 2014

     
    Under Construction
    This is a new page, currently under construction!


    Purpose

    A search function allows to generate a subset out of a big number of items on ground of a user defined pattern. It usually can be applied to various sources and has several options for fine-tuning.

    Supplemental to search the filter function reduces the number of items. This operation works on the current list only and does not generate a new output. Filtering should be always instantaneous and must not interrupt the workflow.

    Similar to filtering the operation might be used to highlight information. This preselection is a common feature in text processing and used to locate a particular piece of information without concealing the surrounding.

    Search

    • Use a search function to generate results based on various sources with sufficient options.
    • Always provide search function via extra secondary dialog.

    Behavior

    • Show hints on how to use the search effectively.
    • Run a combined AND search when two words have been entered unless the term is quoted (e.g. Hello World vs "Hello World")
    • Follow the guidelines on delayed operations if the search takes longer.

    Appearance

    • (Yet to be defined by the VDG)

    Implementation

    • (To be defined by devs)

    Filter

    • Apply filter to restrict the number of items of a list.
    • Do not overload the simple filter function by options. If necessary, provide an additional search.

    Behavior

    • Perform filter operations always instantaneously.
    • Make the operation as simple as possible. For instance, do not apply multi-dimensional filtering or do not use logical operators for input.
    • Run operation case insensitive, unless it is important.
    • Make input control large enough to show at least 20 characters.
    • By default clear the filter input when the content is changed. But consider to provide a sticky function and keep the filter until it is cleared explicitly. With this option users do not need to research after selecting or referencing an item.
    • Consider to provide auto complete feature to the input based on previous operations.

    Appearance

    • Show the filter pattern above the list of items.
    • Use Ctrl+H to show/hide the input.
    • Do not hide the input if the filter is an essential part of the application, i.e. when the list of items usually is large.
    • Show 'Search...' as place holder unless the control is focused.

    Implementation

    • (To be defined by devs)

    Highlight

    • Provide 'highlight search' when the content is relevant.
    • Do not overload the simple highlight function by options. If necessary, provide an additional search.

    Behavior

    • Perform highlight operations always instantaneously.
    • Make the operation as simple as possible. Do not add options.
    • Run operation case insensitive.
    • Make input control large enough to show at least 20 characters.
    • Consider to provide auto complete feature to the input based on previous operations.

    Appearance

    • Place the input control at the bottom of the content area.
    • Hide the input by default.
    • Active the control and focus it on ctrl+F.

    Implementation

    • (To be defined by devs)

    Legacy references