Designing a From

[aak]

Hello
I'm creating a database application for a research group in a hospital.
There are a lot of information they want to be store and retrieve from SQL.
the problem is there will be a lot of cases for searching the database. if i
create search form with textboxes and combos and so the form will be too big
considering the facts that they also wants to search between different
tables and the application should support all sort of search.
it has approximately 15 tables and each has near 30 column and they want to
be able to search between all of them with AND/OR operations.
Another problem is they are between 50-70 years old and i can't force them
to learn SQL language. it has to be done with menus and forms and in visual
form but i haven't seen such application to get a clue.
well, any suggestions will be appreciated.

 

[Jonathan Best]

Hello
I'm creating a database application for a research group in a hospital.
There are a lot of information they want to be store and retrieve from SQL.
the problem is there will be a lot of cases for searching the database. if i
create search form with textboxes and combos and so the form will be too big
considering the facts that they also wants to search between different
tables and the application should support all sort of search.
it has approximately 15 tables and each has near 30 column and they want to
be able to search between all of them with AND/OR operations.
Another problem is they are between 50-70 years old and i can't force them
to learn SQL language. it has to be done with menus and forms and in visual
form but i haven't seen such application to get a clue.
well, any suggestions will be appreciated.

Have you considered creating a parent form that generates the search
form? On the parent form have a listing of check boxes that allows the
user to choose what they are going to search by. Depending on what they
choose, the search form only has the necessary textboxes. From that,
you create your SQL string.

Just an idea, but it would cut out all the unnecessary boxes. If that
wont work, how about having a drop down list on one part of the form
with general categories of info. When they click on a category, another
part of the form shows the text boxes they can use to search by. When
they have entered all the data, they can then press a search button.

Jon