Finding your High with Low Search

An introduction to Low Search for ExpressionEngine, given at EEconf 2016.

Transcript

1. Finding your high with Low Search By Lodewijk Schutte ~ Low, October 2016
2. Hi! I'm Low!
3. Low Search
4. Google searches pages, returns URLs. Low Search filters & returns Channel Entries.
5. The more granular the content, the more control you have over its output.
6. Searching vs. Filtering •In ExpressionEngine, searching == filtering. •Filter output by setting parameters to the Channel Entries Tag. •Low Search extends the CE Tag, offering more parameters and thus more control.
7. {exp:channel:entries dynamic="no"} code {/exp:channel:entries}
8. {exp:channel:entries dynamic="no" status="open" show_future_entries="no" show_expired="no" orderby="date" sort="desc" limit="100" }
9. {exp:channel:entries dynamic="no" channel="articles" category="5" username="stanlee" search:body="marvel" start_on="-3 months" status="open" show_future_entries="no" show_expired="no" orderby="date" sort="desc" limit="100" }
10. {exp:low_search:results} Read parameters, run filters Set fixed_order or entry_id parameter Call {exp:channel:entries} Post-process returned entries Return search results
11. {exp:low_search:results collection="products" keywords="luke cage" category:type="7|8" category:gender="11" search:size="=XL|XXL" range-to:price="30" orderby_sort="price|asc" } All mens tees and hoodies in size XL or XXL, up to $30, that match the terms "luke cage", ordered by price, ascending.
12. {exp:channel:entries channel="products" entry_id="34|38|42|51" orderby="price" sort="asc" }
13. {exp:channel:entries channel="products" entry_id="34|38|42|51" orderby="price" sort="asc" status="open" show_future_entries="no" show_expired="no" limit="100" }
14. A parameter… •…can be fixed:
 {exp:low_search:results name="value"} •…can be dynamic, using a form:
 <input name="name" value="value"> •…can be read as a variable:
 {low_search_name} => value
15. {exp:low_search:form result_page="search/results"} <input name="keywords" value=""> <select name="category:type[]" multiple>…</select <input name="search:size[]" type="checkbox" value="XL"> XL … <input name="range-to:price" type="range" min="10" max="250" step="10"> <select name="limit">…</select> other form fields {/exp:low_search:form}
16. domain.com/search/results/eyJyZXN…
17. {exp:low_search:results collection="products" query="{segment_3}" } {if count == 1} Searched for {low_search_keywords} {/if} code {/exp:low_search:results}
18. A filter… •…consists of any amount of parameters. •…runs one or more (simple) queries. •…passes its results onto the next. •…triggers no_results when it comes up empty.
19. Keywords •Matches entries against given keywords •Uses a full-text index created via collections •Allows for speed and relevance •Allows for inflections and stemming •Order by relevance score
20. Field Search •Like native search:field_name parameter •Can target title, url_title and status •Can target Grid (or Matrix) columns •Additional matching, like starts_with •Smart Field Search option
21. Ranges •Targets numeric or date fields •Two values, one field; optionally specify min/max values separately •Can also target Grid (or Matrix) columns •Inverse ranges (two fields, one value)
22. Categories •Accepts category_ids •Combine AND and OR by specifying groups on the fly: •category:color="1|2|3" •category:type="4|5|6" •category:style="7|8|9"
23. Relationships •Accepts entry_ids or url_titles •Can target the parent or child entry: •parent:field_name="1|2|3" •child:field_name="4|5|6"
24. Distance •Uses Haversine algorithm •From given lat/lon values to one or two fields containing the entry’s coordinates •Specify max radius and unit •Order by calculated distance
25. There’s more! •Tags (included) •Members https://github.com/low/low_search_members •Table https://github.com/low/low_search_table •Calendar (sold separately, EE2) •Store (sold separately, EE2) •Create your own…
26. class Low_search_filter_foo extends Low_search_filter { public function filter($entry_ids) { return $entry_ids; } public function fixed_order() { return FALSE; } public function results($rows) { return $rows; } }
27. Questions?
28. Thank You! gotolow.com @low