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2.10 The Search Question and the Initiation of the Search

In QUEST3D the search question is normally composed by the logical combination of tests already defined.

Suppose we have defined 2 tests, T1 being a 2D fragment test and T2 being a numeric test.

Two commands are available for the combination of tests, viz. QUEST and FASTQUEST.

• Select QUEST from the BUILD or SEARCH menu

• The QUEST sub-menu is displayed, as shown above. Each test is enclosed by a box in the drawing area. The .AND. logical operator, by default, is active. In the dialogue area there is:

  The current QUEST line is:
  QUEST
  Please select a test or a logical operator. Select "START-SEARCH" to begin.

• Select T1

• The question line is now:

  QUEST  T1

• Select T2

• The question line is now:

  QUEST  T1  .AND.  T2

This search question requires that both tests T1 and T2 must be satisfied for a hit to be registered.

At this point if we select START-SEARCH then the search is initiated.

• Select FASTQUEST from the BUILD or SEARCH menu

• The screen clears.

  QUEST Search Logic
  2 tests have been defined, of which 1 is a fragment
  Are you sure you want to logically AND all these? [Y]

• Type Y <R>

• The screen clears and the search process is initiated.

The command START, located in the SEARCH menu, must be used to initiate the search in the following cases:

• if the search is based only on query screens and no tests

• if HITALL has been selected

• for a similarity search, unless it also involves defined tests.

Basic QUEST Procedure

In QUEST the search question is composed by simply typing the question line, eg.

QUES  T1  .AND.  T2

When <RETURN> is pressed at the end of the question line the search is initiated.

The instruction START is also used in QUEST for the three situations listed above.

If you type STAR and press <RETURN> then the search is initiated.

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Volume 1 Chapter 2 Display of the Results of the Search.