Projects/Usability/HIG/SearchPattern

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Purpose

A search function allows to generate a subset out of a big number of items on ground of a user defined pattern. The function is essential to find matching items in case of a extended list or if the position of target(s) is unknown, as well as when bulk operations should be executed to a subset. A search operation interrupts the 'predefined workflow' and bypass core functions to a user-defined data set.

Supplemental to search is the filter function which rather reduces a given number of items than generating an output.

Guidelines

Make the search result persistent. Users must not need to research after selecting or referencing an item.
Consider to allow iterative search on result lists.
Do not inherit artificial intelligence from users. Search operations have always be clear and comprehensible to users.
Follow the guidelines on delayed operations if the search takes longer.
Provide paging/scrolling of results.
Provide auto complete feature to the input based on previous operations.
Start the search process via button or when the user pressed enter.
Show the search pattern at the header of the result list (e.g. "Search results for: <Hello World>")
Show hints on how to use the search effectively.
Do case insensitive search, unless its important.
Make the search box large enough to show at least 20 characters (at the moment: KRunner & Kicker = 24, Konqueror = 54, KCM = 33, cf. ).
Run a combined AND search when two words have been entered unless the term is quoted (e.g. Hello World vs "Hello World")

Appearance

Search input consists of an icon, a line input to enter the search pattern, and a button to start the search. (VDG could make a proposal how it looks nice)
Placement
- Start search at the upper right area of your dialog (KCM and web style).
- Start search at the lower left area of your dialog (Kicker and Konqueror style).
- Show search centered in the upper area of your dialog (Dolphin and KRunner style).
To show or not to show:
- Always show search input. Do not hide the availability from users.
- Show input control only when users start the search.
- Hide the control in case the search is not the primary function of the app, but show a small button which indicates clearly the availability of the function.
- Active the control and focus it on Ctrl+F or when user clicks the icon.
- Do not use search icon anywhere else.
How to present results (Depends on use case?)
- Highlight search results (KCM mode).
- Hide non-matching results (Kicker mode).
- Generate a new list that matches the search pattern (KRunner mode).

Best Practice