Remove some things which makes it hard to understand this paper by a beginner..

1 files changed, 161 insertions, 87 deletions

diff --git a/development/pim/pim_howto/pim_howto.lyx b/development/pim/pim_howto/pim_howto.lyx
index 1e43d63..a99b0df 100644
--- a/development/pim/pim_howto/pim_howto.lyx
+++ b/development/pim/pim_howto/pim_howto.lyx
@@ -1,1419 +1,1493 @@
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 % /Title   ClearSim-RealtTime und Andere
 %  /Creator (Tex)
 %  /Author  (Stefan Eilers)
 %  /Subject ()
 %  /Keywords (Simulation,Real-Time,ClearSim,prototype,efsm)
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 \quotes_language english
 \quotes_times 2
 \papercolumns 1
 \papersides 2
 \paperpagestyle fancy
 
 \layout Title
 
 How to use the Opie-Pim API without getting tired!
 \newline 
 (Aka: Hitchhikers Guide Through the Opie-Pim API)
 \newline 
-(Pre V 0.1)
+(V 0.2)
 \layout Author
 
 
 \family sans 
-Stefan Eilers
+Stefan Eilers (stefan@eilers-online.net)
 \layout Section*
 
 
 \family sans 
 Abstract
 \layout Standard
 
 The Opie-Pim API provides a powerfull access interface to the PIM (Personal
  Information Management) data which contains your contact information, the
  dates in your calendar tool (in this paper called datebook events) and
  your todo events.
  Beside providing full featured access to this information, it covers the
  real management of this informantion - the access of the databases - from
  the user.
  
 \layout Standard
 
 While starting to read the automatically generated API-documentation, the
  user may be confused by a lot of unnecessary classes and details which
  makes the quick start not as easy as possible.
  Due to the fact that a user will not need most of the details, this paper
  should help to start to become confortable with those details he need to
  solve his problems.
 \layout Standard
 
 
+\series bold 
+You will find a more recent version at: 
+\begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apihowto/pim_howto.pdf}
+
+\end_inset 
+
+
+\layout Standard
+
+
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \tableofcontents{}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \layout Chapter
 
 Introduction
 \layout Standard
 
 Before starting to jump into the work, we should introduce some specialties
  of the PIM API, first.
  To know these facts should help to avoid possible irritations and misunderstand
 ings:
 \layout Enumerate
 
 The PIM-API heavily uses C++ templates (as known as generic classes), but
  you don't have to understand very deeple what templates are doing and how
  they work! Most of the API works without even seeing the templates.
  In some cases we have to use them (for instance to use the factory classes),
  but this guide will provide examples which should help to find the path
  through.
  But it is a good idea to read some short introduction of templates to avoid
  unnecessary mistakes.
 \layout Enumerate
 
 The PIM-API is split into two parts: The 
 \emph on 
 frontend
 \emph default 
  and the 
 \emph on 
 backend.
 
 \emph default 
  While the frontend provides the API for the user, the backend implements
  how to access the databases and what to do with the data.
  As we just want to access data, this paper just focuses the frontend.
  Thus, you should ignore all classes which contains something like 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 backend
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  in its name! Backends are just interesting for people who want to extend
  or implement new possibilities about how to access databases, which will
  be discussed at the end of this paper.
  Currently, you just have to understand that there do exist several backends
  for every type of PIM data (Contact, Todo, Datebook) which controls whether
  you want to access an XML, SQL (SQLite) or VCard style database.
  If you just want to use the default database, you even don't have to think
  about this!
 \layout Standard
 
 In the next chapter, we will show how to access the default database as
  easy as possible.
  This will be the solution for most of the problems you may face while accessing
  the PIM data.
 \layout Chapter
 
 Quick Guide to access the Database
 \layout Standard
 
 In this chapter we will introduce very quickly how to get access to the
  database and how to access data.
  It should help to find the right directions.
  If it is too short for you, you should read the next chapter afterwards
  to find a more complete and detailed view into the system.
 \layout Section
 
 Instantiate the access-object
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{sec:Instantiate-the-Access}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \layout Standard
 
 To gain access to the database you need something we will call
 \emph on 
  access-object
 \emph default 
  (an instance of the access-class for the database) which handles the database
  access.
  Requesting such an object is very easy by using the operation 
 \emph on 
 defaultAccess()
 \emph default 
  of the factory class 
 \series bold 
 OPimAccessFactory
 \series default 
  (see 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1OPimAccessFactory.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 ).
  This operation is defined like this:
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-T* defaultAccess (typename OPimGlobal::PimType type, const QString &appName)
+T* defaultAccess ( 
+\newline 
+typename OPimGlobal::PimType type,
+\newline 
+const QString &appName)
 \layout Standard
 
 You just have to add the following lines to your source code to use it (this
  example is for accessing the contact database):
 \layout LyX-Code
 
+\layout LyX-Code
+
 #include <opie2/opimaccessfactory.h>
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 use namespace Opie;
 \layout Standard
 
 [...]
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-OPimContactAccess* sourceDB = OPimAccessFactory<OPimContactAccess>::defaultAcces
-s( OPimGlobal::CONTACTLIST, "my-app" );
+OPimContactAccess* sourceDB = 
+\newline 
+OPimAccessFactory<OPimContactAccess>::defaultAccess(
+\newline 
+OPimGlobal::CONTACTLIST,
+\newline 
+"my-app" );
+\layout LyX-Code
+
 \layout Standard
 
 If everything works as expected, you will receive a pointer to the contact
  access-class which has to be used for accessing the database.
  Accessing the datebook database works equally
 \begin_inset Foot
 collapsed false
 
 \layout Standard
 
 The API will be changed in the future: ODateBookAccess will be renamed to
  OPimEventAccess.
 \end_inset 
 
 :
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-ODateBookAccess* sourceDB = OPimAccessFactory<ODatebookAccess>::defaultAccess(
- OPimGlobal::DATEBOOK, "my-app" );
+ODateBookAccess* sourceDB = 
+\newline 
+OPimAccessFactory<ODatebookAccess>::defaultAccess(
+\newline 
+OPimGlobal::DATEBOOK,
+\newline 
+"my-app" );
 \layout Standard
 
 And the same for todo:
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-OPimTodoAccess* sourceDB = OPimAccessFactory<OPimTodoAccess>::defaultAccess(
- OPimGlobal::TODOLIST, "my-app" );
+OPimTodoAccess* sourceDB = 
+\newline 
+OPimAccessFactory<OPimTodoAccess>::defaultAccess(
+\newline 
+OPimGlobal::TODOLIST,
+\newline 
+"my-app" );
 \layout Standard
 
 Using 
 \emph on 
 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 defaultAccess()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \emph default 
 , the default database is accessed automatically
 \begin_inset Foot
 collapsed false
 
 \layout Standard
 
 The configuration file 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 pimaccess.conf
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  defines which backend is selected as default!
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  If you want to use anything else, you have to read the next chapter to
  get the information how to do this.
  
 \layout Standard
 
 The last parameter 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 my-app
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  is very importand and should be equal for every instance of an application.
  Some database backends (like the XML backend) uses this string as an unique
  filename to create a journal file.
  If your application should run in several instances independently you will
  need multiple journal files and therefore several name strings!
 \layout Standard
 
 If the database access-object is is not needed anymore, you have to remove
  it by calling 
 \emph on 
 delete
 \emph default 
 :
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 delete sourceDB;
 \layout Section
 
 Accessing the Access-Object
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{sec:Accessing-the-access-object}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \layout Standard
 
 After receiving the access-object, we just have to use its API which is
  mainly defined by the common base class 
 \series bold 
 OPimAccessTemplate
 \series default 
  (see 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1OPimAccessTemplate.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 ).
  This API is inherited by all access-classes and therefore common to all
  access-objects.
  We will show the most important operations of it first (please replace
  
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 T
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  below with the corresponding 
 \emph on 
 data-class
 \emph default 
  for the selected access-class: OPimContact
 \begin_inset Foot
 collapsed false
 
 \layout Standard
 
 see 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1OPimContact.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \end_inset 
 
  for OPimContactAccess, OPimEvent
 \begin_inset Foot
 collapsed false
 
 \layout Standard
 
 see 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1OPimEvent.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \end_inset 
 
  for ODateBookAccess and OPimTodo
 \begin_inset Foot
 collapsed false
 
 \layout Standard
 
 see 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1OPimTodo.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \end_inset 
 
  for OPimTodoAccess):
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 bool load ();
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 bool reload ();
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 bool save ();
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 bool add (const T& t);
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 bool remove (const T& t);
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 bool replace (const T& t);
 \layout Standard
 
 After receiving an access-object, we have to load the existing dataset into
  the backend, which is done by the 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 load()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  operation.
  The 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 save()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  operation is important to write back (or 
 \emph on 
 commit
 \emph default 
 ) local changes into the global database.
  After doing this, the changes are globally accessable! The 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 reload()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  operation loads changes of the global database into the local set 
 \series bold 
 without
 \series default 
  removing any local changes
 \begin_inset Foot
 collapsed false
 
 \layout Standard
 
 We should check whether all databases behave like this! (se)
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  This may be done after receiving information about any change by an other
  application which is not in scope of this chapter.
  The other operations are self explaining and should work as expected.
 \layout Standard
 
 If you want to work with the existing dataset, you need to get a list of
  all available information.
  This list is returned by the call 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 allRecords()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  which returns a list of all available records as an 
 \series bold 
-OPimRecordList
+OPimRecordList<T>
 \series default 
  (see 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1OPimRecordList.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 ).
+ This OPimRecordList is a template and should be used with the right class
+ parameter 
+\begin_inset Quotes eld
+\end_inset 
  
+T
+\begin_inset Quotes erd
+\end_inset 
+
+ which is currently one of the following: OPimContact, OPimTodo and OPimEvent.
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-List allRecords();
+OPimRecordList<T> allRecords();
 \layout Standard
 
 In fact, this 
-\emph on 
-List
-\emph default 
+\begin_inset Quotes eld
+\end_inset 
+
+OPimRecordList<T>
+\begin_inset Quotes erd
+\end_inset 
+
  just contains a list of uid's to take care of memory space.
- As every record is identified by an unique identification number which
- is called UID (Unique Identification), these numbers just exists once in
- the database which is currently on access! To receive the real record,
- you have to use the operation 
+ Every record is identified by an unique identification number which is
+ called UID (Unique Identification).
+ These numbers just exists once in the database which is currently on access!
+ To receive the real record, you have to use the operation 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 find()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  with a valid UID as parameter:
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 T find (UID uid);
 \layout Standard
 
+The remaining question is, how to get a valid UID out of a list to use the
+ 
+\begin_inset Quotes eld
+\end_inset 
+
+find()
+\begin_inset Quotes erd
+\end_inset 
+
+ in a correct manner.
+ This could be done by requesting a special element of the list, using the
+ operator[] or by using iterators.
+ The first one would be like this
+\begin_inset Foot
+collapsed true
+
+\layout Standard
+
+Please do not forget to use 
+\begin_inset Quotes eld
+\end_inset 
+
+use namespace Opie;
+\begin_inset Quotes erd
+\end_inset 
+
+ to enable the namespace 
+\begin_inset Quotes eld
+\end_inset 
+
+Opie
+\begin_inset Quotes erd
+\end_inset 
+
+!!
+\end_inset 
+
+:
+\layout LyX-Code
+
+OPimRecordList<OPimContact> list = allRecords();
+\layout LyX-Code
+
+for ( int i = 0; i < list.count(); i++ ){
+\layout LyX-Code
+
+    cout << "The UID is: " << list[i] << endl;
+\layout LyX-Code
+
+}
+\layout Standard
+
+Using the iterator is as easy as the previous one:
+\layout LyX-Code
+
+OPimRecordList<OPimContact> list = allRecords();
+\layout LyX-Code
+
+OPimRecordList<OPimContact>::iterator it;
+\layout LyX-Code
+
+for ( it = list.begin(); it != list.end(); ++it ){
+\layout LyX-Code
+
+    count << "The UID is: " << (*it) << endl;
+\layout LyX-Code
+
+}
+\layout Standard
+
 This is all you need to realize a basic access to the PIM-Databases! The
  next chapter will guide you into more details of the PIM-API.
 \layout Chapter
 
 How to Access PIM-Data: Detailed View
 \layout Standard
 
 As shown in the previous chapter, all we need to access the PIM-Database
  is to request an access-object from the OPimAccessFactory and to use it.
  We will now introduce some special features of this factory (see section
  
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{sec:Advanced-Factory-Features}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 ), followed by some very important features like searching and sorting in
  section 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{sec:Special-Features:-Searching}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  If you are interested in accessing data without take care about their types,
  section 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{sec:Generic-Access:-OPimBase}
 
 \end_inset 
 
  will show how to do this, followed by a short introduction about delayed
  loading in section 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{sec:Internal-Signal-Handling:}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 .
 \layout Standard
 
 But first we will start with introducing some features of the 
 \series bold 
 OPimAccessFactory
 \series default 
 .
 \layout Section
 
 Advanced Factory Features
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{sec:Advanced-Factory-Features}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \layout Standard
 
 In the previous chapter we used the operation 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 defaultAccess()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  to request an access-object to the default backend.
  Whether this default backend will access the XML, VCard or SQLite database
  type, is defined by the configuration file 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 pimaccess.conf
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  which is stored in the directory 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 Settings
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 , stored in the user home directory.
  Changing this setting will take effect to all applications using 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 defaultAccess()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  Therefore it is not a good idea to modify a global setting, if an application
  should access a special database type, for instance to move data from one
  database to an other.
  
 \layout Standard
 
 If the developer wants to select a special database type for sure without
  unnecessary side effects, he has to use the operation 
 \emph on 
 create()
 \emph default 
  which has the following parameters:
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 T* create (OPimGlobal::PimType type, OPimGlobal::DatabaseStyle dbStyle,
  const QString &appName, const QString &fileName=QString::null)
 \layout Standard
 
 Some parameters are already known, like type and appName (see section 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{sec:Instantiate-the-Access}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 ).
  The new parameter 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 dbStyle
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  defines which database type should be selected.
  Possible values could be found in the enumeration 
 \emph on 
 DataBaseStyle
 \emph default 
  in the class 
 \series bold 
 OPimGlobal
 \series default 
  (see 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1Pim_1_1OPimGlobal.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 ).
  
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 DEFAULT
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  selects the default database and therefore behaves exactly as the operation
  
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 defaultAccess()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  above.
  
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 UNKOWN
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  is just defined for internal reasons and should not be used be the developer.
  The remaining values (
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 XML
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 , 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 SQL
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 , 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 VCARD
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 ) should be used to select the desired database backend.
  The last parameter 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 fileName
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  is used to select a special file name and path to the database file.
  Thus, you can use it to access database files which don't reside on the
  default path or have other filenames as it is defined by the platform as
  default (in normal cases 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 ~/Applications/<name of application>/
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 ).
 \layout Standard
 
 In the next section we will discuss how searching and sorting take place
  with this API.
 \layout Section
 
 Special Features: Searching and Sorting
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{sec:Special-Features:-Searching}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \layout Standard
 
 In most cases it is not sufficient to receive just a list of all information
  in a database.
  It is essential to get a subset of the information available and to be
  able to sort it.
  For this kind of exercise we provide some special operations which provide
  searching and sorting in an incremental manner
 \begin_inset Foot
 collapsed false
 
 \layout Standard
 
-FIXME: matchRegexp() does take a list of uid's.
+FIXME: matchRegexp() does not take a list of uid's.
  Therefore it is currently not possible to use it in an incremental manner!
  (se)
 \end_inset 
 
 .
- Therefore it is possible to research a 
-\begin_inset Quotes gld
-\end_inset 
-
-List
-\begin_inset Quotes grd
-\end_inset 
-
- which was returned by a previous search query and to sort it afterwards.
+ Therefore it is possible to use a list which was returned by a previous
+ search query and to sort it afterwards.
  Before we will take a close look into sorting, we will start with searching.
  There exist two different ways of searching:
 \layout Enumerate
 
 Search a complete database for a special regular expression, using 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 matchRegexp ()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  This search type returns all records which contains the given regular expressio
 n 
 \emph on 
 anywhere
 \emph default 
  in the dataset.
  This search type is used for example by the opie search tool (OSearch)
  (see 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://handhelds.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi/opie/core/pim/osearch/}
 
 \end_inset 
 
  and 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://handhelds.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi/opie/core/pim/osearch/adresssearch.cpp?rev=1.12&content-type=text/x-cvsweb-markup}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 ).
 \layout Enumerate
 
 Define a so called 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 Query By Example
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  search query which allows to define what should be searched and which internal
  data fields should be taken into account.
  This is a very advanced search function which allows to search in a very
  fine granular manner.
 \layout Standard
 
 We will start with the first and very simple 
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 matchRegexp()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 , followed by the query by example search query.
 \layout Subsection
 
 Searching with 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 matchRegexp()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \layout Standard
 
 The function is defined like this:
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-List matchRegexp (const QRegExp& r);
+OPimRecordList<T> matchRegexp (const QRegExp& r);
 \layout Standard
 
 The 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
-List
+OPimRecordList<T>
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
- is still a OPimRecordList which contains 0 or more uid's of matching records.
+ is still a list which contains 0 or more uid's of matching records.
  As already discussed in section 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \ref{sec:Accessing-the-access-object}
 
 \end_inset 
 
  you have to use the 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 find()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  operation to request the real records.
 \layout Subsection
 
 Searching with Query By Example
 \layout Standard
 
 The query by example search style is working is using a data object (for
  instance an OPimContact) to store the search query.
  For instance, if you want to request all entries which contains the last
  name 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 Eilers
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  and the home zip number should start with 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 3
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  you have to do the following:
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 OPimContact searchQuery;
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-searchQuery.setLastName( 
-\begin_inset Quotes eld
-\end_inset 
-
-Eilers
-\begin_inset Quotes erd
-\end_inset 
-
- );
+searchQuery.setLastName( "Eilers" );
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-searchQuery.setHomeZip( 
-\begin_inset Quotes eld
-\end_inset 
-
-3*
-\begin_inset Quotes srd
-\end_inset 
-
- );
+searchQuery.setHomeZip( "3*" );
 \layout Standard
 
 We use an usual 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 OPimContact
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  and fill into two fields the query information.
  All filled fields are taken for the search operation (using an 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 AND
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  operation), the unused ones are simply ignored.
  As we just want to search for entries which zip number starts with a 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 3
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  we use the Wildcard 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 *
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  as we would do to find files in a filesystem.
 \layout Standard
 
 The next step is to put this query into the operation which is defined like
  this:
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-List queryByExample (const T& query, int querySettings, const QDateTime&
- startperiod=QDateTime())
+OPimRecordList<T> queryByExample (const T& query,
+\newline 
+int querySettings, const QDateTime& startperiod=QDateTime())
 \layout Standard
 
 The first parameter 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 query
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  should used to set our query, but we have to set the parameter 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 querySettings
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  to configure the search properly.
  This settings are defined by the enumeration 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 QuerySettings
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  in the class 
 \series bold 
 OPimBase
 \series default 
  (see 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/structOpie_1_1OPimBase.html#w19}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 ).
  The meaning of all settings will be discussed later.
  For the first turn we will just concentrate on the things we need in this
  case.
  As we use Wildcards in 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 setHomeZip
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  we have to use 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 WildCards
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  And we want to be sure to find lower case names, too, which may be mistyped
  (like 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 eilers
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 , 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 eIlers
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 , ...).
  Thus, we have to use the 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 IgnoreCase
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  setting which is to combine with the other using an 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 or
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  operator.
  The last parameter 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 endperiod
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  will be ignored for this case which will look like this:
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 use namespace Opie;
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 [...]
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-List found_items = queryByExample( searchQuery, OPimBase::WildCards | OpimBase::
-IgnoreCase );
+OPimRecordList<OPimContact> found_items = 
+\newline 
+sourceDB->queryByExample( searchQuery, 
+\newline 
+OPimBase::WildCards | OpimBase::IgnoreCase );
 \layout Standard
 
 This operation may return a list of entries which can be accessed as above,
  using the 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 find()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  operation.
 \layout Standard
 
 It should be clear at this stage, that this query is very powerful and -
  depending to the querySettings - could be very complicated to implement.
  Thus, not all backends do support all features defined by querySettings
 \begin_inset Foot
 collapsed false
 
 \layout Standard
 
 At this time, just the contact database for XML and VCard is supporting
  all queries and combination of them.
  All others just support subsets.
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  To check which settings are supported and to be able to react dynamically
  on missing features (for instance to disable some search features in the
  application) we provide the following operations:
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 bool hasQuerySettings( uint querySettings );
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 uint querySettings();
 \layout Standard
 
 The first operation 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 hasQuerySettings()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  may be used to ask whether the database can handle the given query settings.
  In this example a call to 
 \layout LyX-Code
 
 hasQuerySettings( OPimBase::WildCards | OpimBase::IgnoreCase );
 \layout Standard
 
 should be answered with 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 true
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  If you need to ask which kind of queries are supported, the operation 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 querySettings()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  will be your friend.
  It will return an unsigned integer value where a 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 1
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  is set for every available feature.
 \layout Standard
 
 The last parameter is called 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 startperiod
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  which is used to set a time interval: 
 \layout Standard
 
 In some cases, a time interval should be set to find for instance all entries
  between two dates (used for example by the birthday reminder for today
  (see here: 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://handhelds.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi/opie/core/pim/today/plugins/addressbook/addresspluginwidget.cpp?rev=1.14&content-type=text/x-cvsweb-markup}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 )) as requested by the setting 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 OPimBase::DateDiff
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  The date and time in the query object is used as the 
 \series bold 
 end
 \series default 
  of the interval.
  The start will be defined by the last parameter (if nothing is set, the
  current date will be taken!).
  Therefore, it is possible to set a time frame for all searched entries.
 \layout Standard
 
 If you want to do incremental search operations, you may use the special
  
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 queryByExample()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  which takes a 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 List
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  as the first parameter.
  The search operation will just occur on this set of uid's!
 \layout Subsection
 
 Sorting
 \layout Standard
 
 To sort a given dataset, you should use the following operation (or one
- of the others which behave slightly differently):
+ of the others which behave slightly differently, see 
+\begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1OPimAccessTemplate.html}
+
+\end_inset 
+
+):
 \layout LyX-Code
 
-List sorted (const List& list, bool ascending, int sortOrder, int sortFilter,
+OPimRecordList<T> sorted (const List& list, 
+\newline 
+bool ascending, int sortOrder, int sortFilter, 
+\newline 
  const QArray< UID >& cats);
 \layout Standard
 
 This sort operation takes a list of uid's as returned for instance from
  a search query.
  The parameter 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 ascending
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  defines whether the sort should be in an ascending order or not.
  
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 sortOrder
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  is defined by the enumerations 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 SortOrder
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  and 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 SortOrderBase
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  and defines which field should be used to sort (see for 
 \series bold 
 OPimContactAccess
 \series default 
 : 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1OPimContactAccess.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 , for 
 \series bold 
 ODateBookAccess
 \series default 
 : 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1ODateBookAccess.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
  and for 
 \series bold 
 OPimTodoAccess
 \series default 
 : 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/classOpie_1_1OPimTodoAccess.html}
 
 \end_inset 
 
  and for common settings 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://www.sra.uni-hannover.de/~eilers/apidocs/pim2/html/structOpie_1_1OPimBase.html#w21}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 ).
 \layout Standard
 
 The 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 sortFilter
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  parameter allows to remove some entries which are not interesting for the
  result and is defined in the same classes as 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 sortOrder
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  by the enumeration 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 SortFilter
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  and 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 SortFilterBase
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
 .
  The list of id's in 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 cats
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  allows to remain just these entries which are included in the list of categorie
 s.
 \layout Standard
 
 The returned list contains the same uid's as given via 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 list
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  (or a subset of it, as the sortFilter and category list removes some entries)
  with a modified order as 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 sortOrder
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  and 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 ascending
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  dictates.
 \layout Standard
 
 Therefore 
 \begin_inset Quotes gld
 \end_inset 
 
 sorted()
 \begin_inset Quotes grd
 \end_inset 
 
  is more a combination of search and sort, as just a sort command.
  But this combination is exactly what the developer needs in most situations.
  
 \layout Section
 
 Generic Access: OPimBase and OPimRecord
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{sec:Generic-Access:-OPimBase}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \layout Section
 
 Caching
 \layout Standard
 
 Need to be written.
  Implementation is found at: 
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \url{http://handhelds.org/cgi-bin/cvsweb.cgi/opie/noncore/tools/pimconverter/converter.cpp?rev=1.9&content-type=text/x-cvsweb-markup}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \layout Section
 
 Internal Signal Handling: Automatic Propagation of Changes
 \begin_inset LatexCommand \label{sec:Internal-Signal-Handling:}
 
 \end_inset 
 
 
 \layout Standard
 
 Need to be written and is not implemented completely!
 \layout Chapter
 
 Howto Extend and Write New Backends
 \layout Standard
 
 Need to be written.
 \the_end