[Zope] searching for a blank value

[Chris Withers]

Michael Havard wrote:
> Okay I have my FieldIndexes set up to search by 4 fields. Searching 
> works great unless you need to search for a blank field.
> 
> Lets say I have a search where I need to find
> Field1='Test'
> Field2='Test'
> Field3=''
> Field4=''
> 
> the search string looks like
> 
> /search?Fields1=Test&Field2=Test&Field3=&Field4=
> 
> The search would return all records where the first two fields matched 
> PLUS the rest of the records that had any values at all. So I might get 
> back records with a field list like:
> 
> 1) 'Test' 'Test' 'Test' 'Test'
> 2) 'Test' 'Test' 'Test' ''
> 3) 'Test' 'Test' '' ''

This is by design, since it makes it easier for search forms with text boxes on 
them to work as expected in most cases. ie: you leave the box empty, that box 
doesn't affect the search results.

> When all I really need is #3.

In that case, modify your search script so it looks something like:

searchSpec = {}
for key,value in context.REQUEST.form:
   if not value:
      value = ('',)
   searchSpec[key] = value
brains = context.your_catalog(searchSpec)

cheers,

Chris