The Search view consists of a single scrollable area which shows all available fields, both user-defined and system fields, for the database table specified in the executable object.

To include a field in the Search criteria, drag the desired field tile above the text header Drag fields above this line. Once dragging is complete, the field name tile will display its four component parts:

• Field name;
• pop-up list of available Comparison Operators (availability varies, depending upon conditions);
• run-time button and Comparison Value field.

• Field name
  this is the name of  the field as established by the user (e.g. Document Date, Amount, etc.) or inherent to the system (e.g. TX number, Document type, etc.) and which was dragged above Drag fields above this line for inclusion in the selection criteria.

• Comparison Operators
  List and Search key are unique to STEP FORWARD. For a more detailed treatment of the generic operators, refer to your database SQL manual dealing with the WHERE clause.

The Search Key
replaces the Comparison Operator / Comparison Value pair with a single text string that encapsulates both the Operator and the Value. This string must be either hard-coded in the Comparison Value field, or formatted in the Procedure before commencing the DB retrieval and passed to the Comparison Value field in a variable. If this variable is also used as a Parameter, then at run-time this Parameter will be represented as a pair of pop-up lists with valid Comparison Operators and editable text field for entering the Comparison value.

• Run-time button and Comparison Value field
  When first displayed,  the Run-time button is On (grey), the Comparison Value field is grayed over and non-editable. In this non-editable state, it displays the message Drag variable / field here i.e. the system expects to receive the required search data at run-time (soft-coding) from one of the variable or data fields.

• Soft-coding:
  To indicate which field or variable will supply the data, select the appropriate item from the Local or Database resources of the Palette and drag the item into the Comparison Value field. Keep in mind that if the desired data originates from a field in a database table, then that data must have been retrieved as part of an action preceding this retrieval definition.

• Hard-coding:
  Click the Run-time button to Off  (white) to make the Comparison Value field editable. Enter the desired data as fixed search criteria.

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