Best GUI to Select Database Subset?

[jsurpless]

Hi all

Maybe someone has some input on this...

In using my program, the user selects a group of AutoCAD files and a database from which to process them... this database contains information that identifies what drawing a record pertains to...

Presently, the application just processes ALL the records for a particular selected file... I'd like to have some way of allowing the user to specify a subset (if desired) of the database...

I figure it probably could be done with a listbox or the like but wondering if there's a better way

Thanks!

-Justin

 

[Tom]

What to you mean about "selecting a subset of a database"?

Do you want to display a list of the database tables and allow the user to select the table?

 

[jsurpless]

What to you mean about "selecting a subset of a database"?

Do you want to display a list of the database tables and allow the user to select the table?

Hi Tom

Here's my situation... I've got the following records in my database

Record1 GroupCriteria1
Record2 GroupCriteria1

My user selects that they want to work with 'GroupCriteria1' and presently my application processes ALL the records unconditionally... I am pretty sure that I could use a set of listboxes to allow them to identify that they only want to process 'Record1' but I am wondering if there is an easy VB.net method...

Does that make any more sense?

 

[Tom]

I think the term "subset of the database" really confused me. So you simple want the user to process a single record instead of all records?

There are many different ways available but I would start by asking/considering how many records need to be displayed and sorted through and how many fields of data the user needs to see and edit?

Selecting a record in a listbox might be easy if it is a limited amount of records but you don't want the user needing to scroll thru a list box that contains thousand of records.

One option is that you could bind all your records to a datagridview to allow them to select which record they want to work on.

Another option would be a combobox, where you can set the AutoComplete properties, so that while they type the name of the record they want it will automatically scroll to the correct item.

If I'm still misunderstanding your question, please let me know. If you need examples send me your email address.

 

[jsurpless]

Hi Tom

No, looks like I was able to explain what I'm looking for

I'm thinking that I'll end up using a Listbox as I don't really care for the DataGridView... I hear your concern about the listbox getting potentially unwieldy for large number of records so out of curiosity, how would the user "select" a given record in a DataGridView?

I'd rather not post my email address - could you upload the example as an attachment?

Many thanks!

 

[Tom]

Heyya:

Yes a DataGridView would work essentially the same as a listbox; as far as having to sort through the records but again I'm am unsure of how many fields of data that you need to display to the user. A DGV might be better if it is many fields.

If it is a single table field or two it might be better to use a combox; even if your setting the DropDownStyle to Simple (listbox appearance). This way they can use the autocomplete feature to search for a record.

And no don't list your email publicly but you can send it by PM.

If you can provide me with some more details and/or send an example or even a screenshot of all the fields you are working with, I can create you a working example.

 

[jsurpless]

Hi Tom

Sorry for not indicating how many fields, as you requested... it would only be 2 fields...

I've uploaded a snapshot of my fields... for instance, my user would have selected 'MagFlow Direct' under the 'Instrument_Loop_Dwg_Typical'... this would present them with the ability to select '05FXXXXX-10FIT001' and/or '05FXXXXX-10FIT002' to process... I effectively do a "GROUP BY" listing on those two fields...

Hope that makes sense?

 

[Tom]

Ok great, that makes alot more sense. A few more questions though.

01) What version of VB do you want me to make the example in?

02) Give me a rough idea of max record counts for parent & child records.

03) Do you want it to only process a single record at a time, or after the user selects the Instrument_Loop_Dwg_Typical record, do you want to them to be able to select & process single or multiple child records?

04) For the example, what am I having it do after the user selects the proper child record(s)? Is the user editing something or just the record selection needed?

05) Is the data being read from a file and imported to the database after record selection? Or am I loading the data from the database in the first place?

 

[jsurpless]

Hi Tom

To your questions

1) I am using VS 2008 Express Edition

2) It's hard to say what the maximum number of records the database might have... 10000 is probably a good maximum... now, your eyes are probably bulging out but worry not... when considering the group by function and the fact that a subset of typicals can be selected upfront, it's not that bad...

3) How many records get processed is really up to the user...as I mentioned earlier on, presently the application processes ALL the records for the specified Typical(s)... if they select 2 of 3 the typicals, then I need to allow them to filter on those... if 3, etc...

4) I am just looking to populate an array or other list type object... each of these unique entries is actually an AutoCAD drawing file and so I process them...

5) This is a read-only operation from the DB

Thanks again

 

[Tom]

My VB2008 software is on order now. I can do the sample in VB2005 now or wait until next week for vb2008?

A bit of confusion to your answer for number 3. After they select's a single parent record, should I give it the ability to select a single child record to process or multiple child records at a time?

 

[jsurpless]

Hi Tom

Regarding 2008 vs 2005... is there a significant difference between the two?

Regarding #3 - if the user were to select 'MagFlow Direct' (as above), they'd be presented with the ability to process either of its two unique children... if they also selected 'Milltronics Ultrasonic Direct', they'd also have the ability to select '05FXXXXXX-10LIT002'

Does that make sense? If it's not clear, then I won't ask you to put together a sample... I think I have a good idea on how to do this but if I have more questions, I can always post back...

 

[Tom]

Heyya:

No significant difference.

No problem, I can put together a sample for you now. I was just trying to get an understanding if they could select more then one record at a time.

Example 1)
A) Select one category / parent record
B) Select one child record
C) Process Record

Example 2)
A) Select one parent record
B) Select Multiple child records
C) Process Records

Example 3
A) Select Mulitple parent records
B) Select Multiple child records
C) Process Records

 

[jsurpless]

Hi Tom

That's correct...

 

[Tom]

Haha, which one is correct? Or do you want the ability to do all options?

 

[jsurpless]

Hi

Oh, I interpreted what you wrote as examples of what they could do... they will in fact be able to select any number of parent records and then choose to process any number of child records affiliated with each parent...