Searching the Database

[Lyn and Malcolm]

When I have filled in all of the details of each plant in the database, for instance, colour and flowering time, can I search the database for a white flower, flowering in August 

Malcolm

[ideasguy]

The Query program GA006 is for doing such searches Malcolm.
However, it works using the Plant Culture/Property classifications defined using Files (tab)>GA003, as these are configurable.
Plants are associated with those classifications using the Global Editing features in GA004 etc.
Have you used the Global Editing features?

I could extend the query program to look at those extra fields for next upgrade.

[Lyn and Malcolm]

Thanks for the reply George

I think I understand the Global Editing, but have not used it.
Give me a couple of days and I will dig a bit deeper and come back to you.

Malcolm

[Lyn and Malcolm]

I have had a look at GA004 and GA006 find it quite impressive really, no wonder it took you a long time to do the software for IGpro 

So do I have it right
The WPG uses height, colour, flowering time etc from details entered in Plant Profiles.
Nothing entered into GA004 Culture properties appears in the WPG.

Malcolm

[ideasguy]

That is correct Malcolm.

I could make the Cultural/Properties classifications visible to the WPG in an update at some stage if you think it would be useful.
Get used to it and let me know

[Lyn and Malcolm]

I like the way the print out of the plants that meet certain criteria, for instance .........

Criteria of colour group RED and flowering time MID SUMMER brings up the plants that match, with the actual plant profile colours we have entered ie Clear red or Crimson red etc

So I guess we really need to enter culture grades and plant profiles for each plant in the database.

So I will have plenty to do this winter then.

PS Just a thought, wouldn't it be great if our WPGs could be searched, for plants that have certain criteria, live on the internet 

Malcolm

[ideasguy]

Glad to see you've got to grips with Global editing Malcolm.
Its a very powerful tool. Its in Ideas Genie and Bonsai Genie as well as IG Pro.

Heres the considerations to be discussed before including an extra option in the Query program (GA006) to allow the search to include the Colour field.
The difference is that Property (and Culture) Classifications allow you to add plants to Colour Property groups (e.g. Reds, Whites etc as user defines) whereas the user can enter free text in the Colour field to describe a plant.
Thus, you could enter White with pink edges or Pink fading to white or etc.
A search in the colour field for the word White would pull out both plants.
A search on the colour field on Yellow would pull out plants described as Blue with yellow centres
A search on the colour field on Black would pull out plants described as Red with black spots as in the case of Poppies, etc.

In Global editing you would probably place the plant in a group (or groups) according to its predominant colour(s):
White with pink edges in a White colour group
Pink fading to white in a Pink colour group (software allows you to also add it to White group)
Blue with yellow centres in a Blue group

Its extra work for the user to add plants to Property Classification (colour in this instance)  but as you see it works very effectively in the Query program.
The Global editing feature makes it quick and easy to add plants to colour groups.

Do we need an extra option to search the colour field in the Query Program - GA006?
Over to you folk for discussion!

PS:

it be great if our WPGs could be searched, for plants that have certain criteria, live on the internet

I'll leave that one in Googles capable hands

[Lyn and Malcolm]

Do we need an extra option to search the colour field in the Query Program - GA006?

I would say yes. Searching on Property and Culture classifications AND Colour fields, both have there own merits.

What are your thoughts George.

Malcolm

[bossgard]

Malcolm and George:

Please keep this Topic/Thread going. It gave me encouragement to go ahead and
work with the Global Editing GA100S30 and the Query Program GA006.

As a preliminary step I took one of my plants that I already have in my data base and
entered in Global Editing; three cultural properties; color group (yellow), soil type (dry) and
flowering time (late spring).

I did a Query search based on those three elements; the plant must be yellow,
bloom in late spring and tolerate dry soil. Clicked on the GO bottom, and up popped
the plant that I had worked with. AMAZING!!

This to me is the ?Icing on the Cake?. This is WHY I purchased IG Pro 5 in
the first place, to help me find plants that would be perfect fits in my garden(s) and
from my own data base.

Like you Malcolm, I have my ?rainy days and rainy nights?
work ahead, and a lot of it, to do this fall.

- Toby

PS ? I thought you might be interested to know that on the generated print-out report
of the Query is the plant: ?Alyssum ? Saxatile, Basket of Gold #076-10 Hume (Yellow) [Peren]?.
Which is the the plant that I originally worked with in Global Editing GA100S30. 
In the Query Program GA004S15  I was even able to bring up the picture that
I have in my data base of that same plant. Now, I?m beginning to understand the
real meaning of Global Editing.

A beautiful job of programming, George. Thank You!

[Lyn and Malcolm]

Welcome aboard Toby

Like most of us these days, there is never enough time to do everything you would like to do.
There are lots of usefull things one can do with Georges software, it just takes a while to get round to it all.

How many plants do you have in your database?. I have made a start on entering data into cultural properties.

Malcolm

[ideasguy]

Global Editing has been in the Ideas Genie software since 2002, and it is exactly the same program as in Ideas Genie Pro.
I'm delighted to see its being used.

RE:Toby said:

As a preliminary step I took one of my plants that I already have in my data base and
entered in Global Editing; three cultural properties; color group (yellow), soil type (dry) and
flowering time (late spring).

I did a Query search based on those three elements; the plant must be yellow,
bloom in late spring and tolerate dry soil. Clicked on the GO bottom, and up popped
the plant that I had worked with. AMAZING!!

Nicely explained Toby. That will allow others who haven't played with it before to have a go!
Heres a demo:
http://www.ideasgenie.co.uk/demo9.html
You need to set up your Cultural Requirement/Properties classifications . This demo explains how:
http://www.ideasgenie.co.uk/demo8.html

Heres another test. Open the Master Database and explore it using the query program - GA006!

I'm predicting the next question
What output can I have from it?

Ive waited 8 years for someone to ask for amendments, so get really familiar with it (so you know exactly what it does already) then we'll see if we can provide extra output options.

I'll broadcast the topic so other members can come in and comment.
When the new Bank Genie Pro is finished and released, I'll have more time to devote to all things gardening.

[bossgard]

George:

For starters, regarding the Master Database and exploring it with GA006 Query Program.

I'll take photos for every plant listed, and US sources to purchase them!

In the meantime, I'll do more research with it. You've got another WOW factor here!

- Toby

[ideasguy]

Theres now over 36,000 plants in the Master Database Toby.
A lot of photos required!
Curently there are well over 2000 with photos.
I have lots more to process, supplied by Malcolm and both Eric's  (Palustris and Eric Hardy) and others, plus lots of my own photos with named plants taken on my tours of gardens around Ireland and England.

I really do enjoy working on the Master Database and make regular additions and corrections.
Its a huge resource and could easily absorb all my time, and I mean FULL time.
Any help would be much appreciated!

[Lyn and Malcolm]

Having entered the 'Colour Group' and 'Flowering times' for 114 Clematis and 45 Phlox in the Culture grades

How can i search for Clematis that flower in June?

Malcolm

[ideasguy]

You cant search by Genus.
You search by Plant type.
If you search for the groups Climber and Perennial it will return genera to include Clematis and Pholx

In the results you can exclude any unwanted Genus, leaving both the above.

Let me know how that works for you Malcolm