This functionality is only available for certain module packages.

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Finder dialog

When creating a modular system or configuration of a machine, existing objects need to be found, for example, when a project engineer wants to use suitable base machines or a function modular system from the library. There is a Finder function including dialog available to make this process faster.

The Finder dialog is started via .

The Finder dialog has a specific window title, depending on the object type being searched, but its essential functional principle is identical for all object types.

The following figure shows a Finder for parameters:

Apart from an input field for the search term, the Finder also has an output field for the search results.

The search term, or parts of it, can be entered in the Name field. The search query is started via [Search]. The results show all objects with that name and / or parts of it.

The search for objects can be refined by means of a number of functions.

As a rule, the search is narrowed by the initial letter of the name. The screenshot shows an example of a search for parameters whose names start with a ‘b’.

The search results can be filtered further by differentiating between upper-case and lower-case spelling. Alternatively to simple search strings, queries can also be written as regular expressions: for example, “M(a|e)ir” will find all people called “Maier” and all people called “Meier”. A full-text search for a specific expression is also possible by placing it in quotes: for example, “Meier” will return precisely this expression.

Information on regular expressions is found at the following links:

Regular Expressions (RegEx)

http://download.oracle.com/javase/tutorial/essential/regex/

http://download.oracle.com/javase/6/docs/api/java/util/regex/Pattern.html

Regular Expressions, 3rd Edition, published by O´Reilly

The input field is designed as a combo box, which means previously input expressions can be selected in case of repeated queries.

Select the desired object using the mouse and confirm the selection via [OK]. This closes the Finder.

A special feature of the Finder is the possibility of running a search without entering a term in the Name field. This is equivalent to a wildcard (*) and will display all available objects in the results field.