Default search algorithm

[mark-prins]

Is your feature request related to a problem? Please describe 👀

this comment talks about searches using a 'contains' query by default and preferring a 'starts with'

Currently all of the search / filter actions which relate to strings are using a 'contains' filter. This will become unwieldy for larger datasets and there's already been some confusion with the search results having entries which are unexpected, due to the 'contains' search.

Describe the solution you'd like 🎁

[ This is still up for discussion and to be updated when agreed upon ]

• prioritise search results, so that results which start with the search term are shown first, sorted alphabetically and then other results are shown following, also sorted alphabetically
• change to use a 'starts with' search by default, while allowing the user to specify a more generous search somehow (e.g. *searchterm for a 'contains' search)
• as above, but with a switch or other control on the page which enables the full search
• add a global or store preference for the type of search to default to

I'm concerned that

• the first suggestion will be confusing to use
• the second will be hard to discover
• the third will take up space and be difficult to accomodate

So there's no simple solution. Whatever we decide to do, this needs to apply to all areas of the site:

• Stock status report filter: item code
• Stock status report filter: item name
• Expiring items report filter: item code or name
• outbound shipment list filter: name
• outbound shipment detail / inbound return detail / inbound shipment detail / internal order detail / outbound return detail / stock list / stocktake detail / prescription detail - add item / new stock: item
• outbound shipment detail / inbound shipment detail / internal order detail - add from master list: list
• requisition list filter: name
• requisition detail / internal order detail: filter items
• inbound return filter: name
• inbound return - new return: customer
• inbound shipment list filter: name
• inbound shipment - new shipment: supplier
• internal orders list filter: name
• internal orders - new order: supplier
• outbound returns list filter: name
• outbound returns - new return: customer
• assets list filter: code, manufacturer, model, sub catalogue
• items list filter: code or name
• master lists list filter: name
• location list filter: name
• stock list filter: code or name, location
• stocktake detail: filter items
• patient list filter: first name, last name, patient ID, program enrolment, gender
• patient list add program: program
• prescription list: search by name
• prescription list new prescription: patient name or code
• encounters list filter: last name, program
• facilities list filter: facility code or name
• monitoring filter: location, sensor name
• cold chain > equipment list filter: asset number, notes, serial number

Describe alternatives you've considered 💭

Additional context 💌

Moneyworks Jobcode 🧰

[adamdewey]

Could we have an option to switch between 'Starts with' and 'Contains' ?

Perhaps it could be hidden in the settings rather than having to show on the UI - but might be nice to able to switch depending on how users prefer?

Oh sorry, saw you already included the option for a switch!