Search solution for changed names

P3R3 said:

I did not add functionality to create a new genus from a synonym. that would get a bit messy IMO.

Click to expand...

I'm confused. I don't think there's really any difference between the Tonina/Syngonanthus situation and the others. Lamiaceae sp. was in there as Hemigraphis traian at one time. The functionality of the former is all I need. I didn't mean to imply that there should be something else as well (I do like and want to keep that last thing you added).

Cavan Allen said:

I'm confused. I don't think there's really any difference between the Tonina/Syngonanthus situation and the others. Lamiaceae sp. was in there as Hemigraphis traian at one time. The functionality of the former is all I need. I didn't mean to imply that there should be something else as well (I do like and want to keep that last thing you added).

Click to expand...

So you want the synonym Hemigraphis traian to be searchable from the genus Hemigraphis? But Hemigraphis is not a listed Genus because you moved the entry to Lamiaceae sp. and subsequentially Hemi was removed from the genus dropdown menu. You want to be able to create genus's without creating another entry. Am I understanding this correct?

On further investigation I fail to see either Hemigraphis traian or Lamiaceae sp. listed anywhere in the plantfinder when I clicked view all records. Is there an entry anywhere? I dont see it.

Oops. I moved Lamiaceae to Hyptis (the former is the family, not genus - it's a gradual process..) assuming that it would work. (Hemigraphis - totally wrong, Lamiaceae - family, Hyptis - correct genus). So yeah, I think it would be best if you could search for whatever I put in the synonym field, regardless of whether there's an entry for a plant in that genus or not.

Cavan Allen said:

Oops. I moved Lamiaceae to Hyptis (the former is the family, not genus - it's a gradual process..) assuming that it would work. (Hemigraphis - totally wrong, Lamiaceae - family, Hyptis - correct genus). So yeah, I think it would be best if you could search for whatever I put in the synonym field, regardless of whether there's an entry for a plant in that genus or not.

Click to expand...

The problem with adding genus that exist only in the synonyms is that it is harder to keep good data. Esp if multiple synonyms exist is would be really hard to insure that the names were parsed correctly. I could make a search box that could search all fields or something. The problem is with how this system is designed, if I start hacking things in here this thing will become a mess to maintain.

OK, I think I see. I'd be down with the search box. That's a good idea anyway. Thanks again.

P3R3 said:

The problem with adding genus that exist only in the synonyms is that it is harder to keep good data. Esp if multiple synonyms exist is would be really hard to insure that the names were parsed correctly. I could make a search box that could search all fields or something. The problem is with how this system is designed, if I start hacking things in here this thing will become a mess to maintain.

Click to expand...

Is the danger that information might be put in there incorrectly? I could be careful. Would it be better if there was more than one synonym field or some way to separate synonyms in that entry box?

Cavan Allen said:

Is the danger that information might be put in there incorrectly? I could be careful. Would it be better if there was more than one synonym field or some way to separate synonyms in that entry box?

Click to expand...

Yea thats the problem. Since there are multiple synonyms its makes it much harder to store/process the data in MYSQL. Remember that anything I change with the system has to be changed in at least 2 different places, and usually more than that. I have to account for any new functionality and/or issues with each addition. I think that just adding a freeform search option will more than satisfy the needs of the system.

Well, let's add the search box and see how that looks. I think that should be OK.

Ok the search functionality is added in now.

it seems to work fine for me....

now Cavan needs to get all the Synonyms in there

Ludwigia senegalensis
Pogostemon stellatus 'Broad Leaf'
all the Rotala mexicanas

Looks like it works well. Thanks a bunch Pere.

A minor nitpick, but when you do a search for synonyms without entering anything in the box, it comes up with all the ones for which I've entered a synonym as well as few for which I have not. I accidentally entered one for Marsilea spp., but even after I removed it, it's still there. Again, not a big deal.

Cavan Allen said:

Looks like it works well. Thanks a bunch Pere.

A minor nitpick, but when you do a search for synonyms without entering anything in the box, it comes up with all the ones for which I've entered a synonym as well as few for which I have not. I accidentally entered one for Marsilea spp., but even after I removed it, it's still there. Again, not a big deal.

Click to expand...

Can you give me the steps to reproduce this so I can debug it? Thanks!

Sure. In the new search box, don't type anything. Select synonyms. Hit go. Rotala macrandra 'green' and a few other show up even though they have no synonyms.

ok, I fixed this problem.

Cool, thanks. Just one more thing though...how come they aren't in alphabetical order when you get on that page? It says ordered by alphabetical at the top.

Cavan Allen said:

Cool, thanks. Just one more thing though...how come they aren't in alphabetical order when you get on that page? It says ordered by alphabetical at the top.

Click to expand...

Because in the name there are [/I] tags which in turn mess up the alphabetical sorting. Just an issue with data entry I suppose.

Is there a way I can enter stuff so that doesn't happen?

Cavan Allen said:

Is there a way I can enter stuff so that doesn't happen?

Click to expand...

Dont put the tags in there when entering the name perhaps? I am not sure if the program is the one doing it, or if its being entered that way.

I put them in that way because scientific names are supposed to be italicized. I noticed, though, that when I put in a synonym, that field is automatically italicized.

Look at this:
Ludwigia inclinata var. verticillata 'Cuba'.

The parts that are supposed to be italicized are, and the ones that aren't...aren't. So, I'd prefer that names not automatically be italicized (synonyms aren't as important). But even if they all have the html tags, wouldn't they all be the same up until the first letter of the genus name and therefore be in order?