The database is designed to allow all users to access it in simple and intuitive way. The basic method of accessing the database is to browse al individual records, it is possible with both for People and Legal Sources DB. In this way, you can access each record individually, but such a solution can be tedious when looking for specific, not general information. To facilitate searching specific data, also search engine was implemented. It can be done in two ways, simple and advance. Second method includes date-based search and multiple queries. The whole was supplemented by an analytical module.
A simple search is intended for preliminary data recognition and helps you identify specific keywords. While advanced allows us to perform multilevel queries when we know exactly what data we are interested in and will provide answers to our research questions. Searching by date allows us to select records from the database that close at a specific time interval. During your search, keep in mind some general guidelines and some specific rules:
It is important to keep in mind the method of operation of this search. A query of this type searches all elements of each record for a given keyword. So in a nutshell, we look up the query we've given in all the records. To do a search, enter the desired date into the form and press the search button. If the term we search is written in Greek alphabet, check the "Switch to Greek" checkcox. When you click the search button, the query results page loads automatically.
From the above principles, there are several rules and restrictions that we must remember, namely:
We need to know precisely what keywords we intend to use and how queries are constructed to perform an advanced search.
Multi-threaded query:
Search of this type begins with selection of column which will be queried. Then choose whether you want to find our keyword in the records you are looking for, or if you are looking for data that does not contain it. In the next step, enter the selected query. The last part lets you choose whether the next keyword is to be an alternative to the first one, or both of them must appear in the records you are looking for. This option does not matter if we stop on single-line search. At this point, there is also a choice whether our keyword is to be written in Greek or Latin alphabet. At this stage we can stop and press the search button to create a single but detailed query. Or, we can select more options and enter more keywords to create multiple queries. It can be constructed with up to 6 keywords. This type of search should follow the same rules as for simple search. The only difference is that in this case there is no possibility to search by date.
If you want to search for a man named Allus, with term filiaster and Originating in Ostia, we need to select the appropriate column in each query line, enter these three keywords, and combine them with the "AND" operator.
The date-based search of individual records should be performed by entering annual date limits that cover the range of records we seek. When entering a query, first select at the bottom date whether it is BC or AD and then enter it. Then repeat this action for the upper date. The last decision before pressing the search button is to choose whether our search is to be an exclusion query. Finally, we can click the search button.
When performing date-based search, you should keep in mind some basic issues. First, pay special attention not to create contradictory queries, ie when terminus post quem is the date AD and terminus ante quem BC at the same time. This search will always return an empty collection. Secondly, this type of search always returns all records dated to within the time frame we set. The exclusion query will return all records whose date is broader than our time frame, but at the same time covering it.