Reference: Results Lists

There are a wide variety of techniques and mechanisms that can be utilized to search, sort, and display a list of items (usually from a database). At RidgeStar, we always call the portion of the page that contains the resulting data a "Results List", which can be adapted to different presentations (as deemed appropriate during development work).

Each Results List format and approach lends itself to different uses. By definition, the simpler approach is more easily understood and the more complex solution takes a little more time and energy to master but, offers more flexibility. We offer the following examples for you to review and evaluate for applicability to your site (remember, each approach has its own set of PROs and CONs, which will vary from page to page on a site).

Simple: A simple results list is made up of a fixed series of columns with the criteria specified at the top of the results list in the related column
Show-Hide: An extension of the Simple List that permits the Visitor to control which columns appear based upon the Show and Hide graphical symbols present in the column title area of the Results List
Disconnected: The Disconnected Criteria mechanism separates the criteria specification and inclusion of a column from the Results List completely (that's why it's called "disconnected")

ALL these mechanisms permit the Visitor to:

Specify the number of results (ie. rows) that will be presented in the results list
Permits the Visitor to choose to see the Next or Prior set of entries (when appropriate)
Provides for an ability to select or screen the set of entries that make up the results

In order to demonstrate the use of the various Results lists, our Site uses a set of test data for manipulation and display. This test data consists of names, cities, scores,etc. This data is TEST data and has no significance, nor is it based upon real information.

To see how each of the list types operates, just point your Browser at the desired mechanism in the Table of Contents at the left of the window.