Fastest way to do database / array search

[richard.pasco@gmail.com]

Hey all

I am trying to write a script that allows users to search through a
database of names. But rather than give a search string and then return
all those that match, I would like it to search each time the user
types a new letter in the text box.

That's badly explained - this example might help!

The user types "r" and I displays all the names with r in them. The
user continues and types "i" so the textbox shows "ri" and displayed
are all the results with "ri" in them. I as doing currently this by
re-querying the SQL database where the names are hosted but it takes
too long to query, return and refresh the page.

What would be a better way of storing this database info to allow a
faster search? Maybe load it into a PHP array first (stored in another
file) and search within that? (Can you do 'clever' searches in PHP?) Or
into a javascript array? The list could be upwards of 1000 names.

The databse shouldn't change that often so I could have a script that
updates the array every 24 hours or every time a new name is added.

Thanks in advance

[Robertico]

Re: Fastest way to do database / array search

I only can offer you a link:

http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/PHP/Searching/1

I hope it's usefull.

Robertico

[Colin McKinnon]

Re: Fastest way to do database / array search

richard.pasco@g mail.com wrote:
[color=blue]
> That's badly explained - this example might help!
>
> The user types "r" and I displays all the names with r in them. The
> user continues and types "i" so the textbox shows "ri" and displayed
> are all the results with "ri" in them. I as doing currently this by
> re-querying the SQL database where the names are hosted but it takes
> too long to query, return and refresh the page.
>[/color]

Have a google for 'AJAX PHP'

C.

[Jerry Stuckle]

Re: Fastest way to do database / array search

richard.pasco@g mail.com wrote:[color=blue]
> Hey all
>
> I am trying to write a script that allows users to search through a
> database of names. But rather than give a search string and then return
> all those that match, I would like it to search each time the user
> types a new letter in the text box.
>
> That's badly explained - this example might help!
>
> The user types "r" and I displays all the names with r in them. The
> user continues and types "i" so the textbox shows "ri" and displayed
> are all the results with "ri" in them. I as doing currently this by
> re-querying the SQL database where the names are hosted but it takes
> too long to query, return and refresh the page.
>
> What would be a better way of storing this database info to allow a
> faster search? Maybe load it into a PHP array first (stored in another
> file) and search within that? (Can you do 'clever' searches in PHP?) Or
> into a javascript array? The list could be upwards of 1000 names.
>
> The databse shouldn't change that often so I could have a script that
> updates the array every 24 hours or every time a new name is added.
>
> Thanks in advance
>[/color]

There's going to be a huge amount of overhead here. But you can do it
with a combination of javascript and php.

The javascript will need to monitor the entry field for changes. When
the field changes, the javascript will have to submit the page to the
web server. PHP on the server can take the input data, search the
database and return the (same) page with the updated data.

But as I said - a huge amount of overhead. And even on a high speed
link, you're response time will probably be too slow for a touch typist.


--
=============== ===
Remove the "x" from my email address
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JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attgl obal.net
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[Chung Leong]

Re: Fastest way to do database / array search

Javascript is the way to go from a user-friendliness standpoint. Just
load the list then dump it into a Javascript array. Or to speed things
up a little, break the list into multiple arrays based on the first
letter, and put them into an associative array of arrays.

[richard.pasco@gmail.com]

Re: Fastest way to do database / array search

That's what it does at the moment but like you say it's miles behind
the typist. Will try the javascript list thing and see how that goes....

[Jerry Stuckle]

Re: Fastest way to do database / array search

richard.pasco@g mail.com wrote:[color=blue]
> That's what it does at the moment but like you say it's miles behind
> the typist. Will try the javascript list thing and see how that goes....
>[/color]

Richard,

The javascript won't help you much, either - unless you send the entire
list to the user - which can take a long time if they're on a dial up line.

This type of filtering is very nice - but is really only suitable for
local access. It just doesn't work well on remote access.

--
=============== ===
Remove the "x" from my email address
Jerry Stuckle
JDS Computer Training Corp.
jstucklex@attgl obal.net
=============== ===