Simple search and select / option

[Ross]

I have been trying Web2Py and fine it relatively fast and simple.
Seems like a very good framework. It really stands out.

After a basic search, I have not found very clear and specific
documentation regarding a simple search and select / option.
I was wondering if there was a detailed document or if anyone could
provide details on how to

1) Make a simple search with the database that the user can perform.
Let's say I have a contacts database and I want the user to be able to
search by last name or contact type.

How would I set up the form ( view or controller ?) to access the
database for this variable ? Which files and what code would I need to
make.

2) I have seen some documentation on the select / option. What would
be the sequence and the files where I would set up the select option ?
Lets say I want to have a select option for contact type e.g.
personal , client, vendor, etc. ?

Thanks
Ross

[Massimo Di Pierro]

Hi Ross,

say you have

db=SQLDB('sqlite://storage.db')
db.define_table('contact',SQLField('name'),SQLField('category'))
db.contact.name.requires=IS_NOT_EMPTY()
db.contact.category.requires=IS_IN_SET(['friend','enemy'])

here are three possible searches controllers:

def search_by_name():
form=SQLFORM(db.contact,fields=['name'])
if request.vars.name: rows=db(db.contact.name.like('%%%s%%' %
request.vars.name)).select(orderby=db.contact.name)
else: rows=[]
return dict(form=form,rows=rows)

def search_by_category():
form=SQLFORM(db.contact,fields=['category'])
if request.vars.category: rows=db
(db.contact.category==request.vars.category).select
(orderby=db.contact.name)
else: rows=[]
return dict(form=form,rows=rows)

def search_by_name_and_category():
form=SQLFORM(db.contact,fields=['name','category'])
s=db
if request.vars.name: s=s(db.contact.name.like('%%%s%%' %
request.vars.name))
if request.vars.category: s=s
(db.contact.category==request.vars.category)
if request.vars: rows=s.select(orderby=db.contact.name)
else: rows=[]
return dict(form=form,rows=rows)

hope this help. Hope no typoe.

Massimo

[NoviceSortOf]

After reviewing your examples above, I've tried the following,
but it returns "Invalid request invalid function".

Unfortunately I'm unable to tell which line or perhaps
if the syntax is incorrect.

* Is it possible to test functions like SQLFORM
on a command line, or in IDLE or other debug
editor suite?

* Is there some error or wrong assumption in my
code or syntax?


def search_by_author():
form=SQLFORM(db.titles,fields=['author'])
if request.vars.author: rows=db(db.titles.author.like('%%%s%%' %
request.vars.author)).select(orderby=db.titles.author)
else: rows=[]
return dict(form=form,rows=rows)

[mdipierro]

On Nov 2, 4:56 am, NoviceSortOf <jons...@well.com> wrote:
> After reviewing your examples above, I've tried the following,
> but it returns "Invalid request invalid function".

That mean you are calling an action that does not exist. There is a
typo in the URL.

> * Is it possible to test functions like SQLFORM
> on a command line, or in IDLE or other debug
> editor suite?

yes,

python web2py.py -S yourappname -M
>>> print db.tables
>>> form=SQLFORM(db[db.tables[0]])
etc.

> * Is there some error or wrong assumption in my
> code or syntax?
>
> def search_by_author():
> form=SQLFORM(db.titles,fields=['author'])
> if request.vars.author: rows=db(db.titles.author.like('%%%s%%' %
> request.vars.author)).select(orderby=db.titles.author)
> else: rows=[]
> return dict(form=form,rows=rows)

I do not think there is an error in this code. I think you have a typo
in the code that calls it.

Massimo