Data Source Searching Algorithm Used in MBAT

The following is a description of the high-level "algorithm" that summarizes the MBAT search behavior as implemented in client.gui.MainPanelMediator.doSearch().

Precondition:

1. Selected query terms are assumed to be "AND"ed together

Algorithm for search:

1. Loop through all user-selected sources and submit queries to each source.
2. For each source, verify that all user-selected parameters are supported. If they are not, the query to that source will fire an error event indicating that the source does not support the specified query. The one exception to this case occurs when the user has selected no "experimental info" (aka data type) parameter. If no data type parameter is selected, query all data types available for that source.

To implement in the future:

• When an adequate keyword search capability is available, add an alternative Search GUI to support keyword queries.