A query is constructed in two parts, a structure that defines the record types of
interest, and conditions that define exactly which records are retrieved. When you have defined a
query, it can be saved for future use.
Procedure
To define a simple query, you need to draw a structure diagram containing the entity
and link types that you want to query:
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Select one of the entity types (or 'any type') in the Query palette and drag it into the empty
pane on the right. The entity type will be shown with an output symbol next to it. This means that
records for this entity type will be included in the results of the query.
If the symbol is not displayed next to the entity type, you need to add it because at least
one entity or link type must be set as output:
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Select the entity. The entity label is highlighted in blue.
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Click Output Selected Item to add it.
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Select another entity type and drag it in to the pane on the right.
Note: Once you add an additional entity type to the query, you must link them. However, the link
type drop-down list is only available if there is a link type defined for the two entity types in
the drawing pane.
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Add a link between the two entities:
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Select a link type from the drop-down list.
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Click Add Link.
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Hold down the left mouse button and drag a link from one of the entities to the other
entity.
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If the link has a direction, right-click on it and from the shortcut menu, select
Add Arrow. To reverse the direction of the arrow or remove it altogether,
right-click on the link and select the appropriate command from the shortcut menu. When you run the
query, iBase will only search for links with this link direction.
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If required edit the labels on the entity and links. This serves a reminder of the purpose of
the query, if you intend to save the query. To edit a label, click the label to highlight it and
then click again. The label changes into a text box.
Edit the label and then press the Enter key to apply your changes.
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Click Results to run the query and display the results. For each item in
the query, iBase will search all the records in the database. You can limit the search to a smaller
number of records.
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In the Results list, select each record to examine the values in its fields.
Note: If necessary, you can refine the query by specifying query conditions.
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Click Back and then Save to save your query so
that you can run it again later.
