CiviCRM Community Forums (archive)

Search builder is not being actively supported. Any interest in  taking over the search builder code and improving on it?

lobo

1. I think making it a more generalized query builder would be a step in the right direction. Giving people more flexibility with regard to input values (labels instead of ids etc)

2. I think the views3 integration made it a bit redundant (though there are some features like actions that u can do from search but not views)

3. Ultimately we just did not have the time/energy/resources to keep it going

lobo

With my minimal intro to CVCRM thus far, I had thought the search function was robust and complete.  But I haven't used it much yet.  I will add my wishes that it become a priority.  Queries/searches are among the most important functions of a database for users, and there needs to be a simple yet robust and flexible query structure.  Queries that go wrong (b/c the user doesn't understand how to code or use them) can be a real problem, and a huge stumbling block to adoption.

I should have some free time this summer (mid June through August) and would be willing to try to help out on any effort made in that direction.  I'm not a coder so can't help with that, but maybe testing or something else?

Carl

for once i don't agree    Yes Views is awesome but won't help us build Smart Groups which Search Builder does.
There are a few things that I turn to search builder for regularly eg
- who has emails but no first or last
- who has specific or range of internal/external IDs

I could probably add to the list, and doing so it might be the beginnings of a 'things we would like to be able to search for but can't' without presuming that the solution is better Search Builder, (EDITED) eg it may be better to tweak QuickSearch or Adv Search for the Int/Ext ID.

Otherwise I find Search Builder pretty useful just as it is. Esp since it gets to show me the columns i ran the search on which neither Adv Search nor Views will do afaik