Can the File-Folder object search within PDFs?

[RGBreality]

Hey, folks!

Thanks to a lot of help from people here, I am slowly getting on track with a text search engine for my company's documentation.

I do have a question, though. Can the File-Folder object search within PDFs (like it can within TXT or HTML files)?

I am trying to include PDFs as a file extension type that would be searched, but I don't get any hits. It wouldn't surprise me if I was doing something wrong, but I thought I'd inquire whether the File-Folder object might not be able to search PDF text.

Thank you!


RGBreality

[LB]

PDF is a special format that doesn't save the text in a readable way.

And please notice my example does not use the File Folder object to look inside the files, it simply does the job of finding every file there is.

[RGBreality]

Hey, LB!

Thank you for the clarification--and especially thank you for all your help on this project! I certainly couldn't have gotten this far without your help!

So, I wonder: Are there any extensions or widgets which would allow us to find PDF files?



RGBreality

[LB]

Not that I know of. You might have to look into the format of the PDF and make your own searching system. It'd be better just to not use PDFs

[RGBreality]

Hmmm... I did find something that might be worth exploring...

Adobe has a PDF go-between called "PDF iFilter." It comes with a DLL file which acts as a go-between for the Windows-based indexing tool and the PDF.

So, now I'm wondering: How do I use MMF2's DLL object? I see where Adobe has installed the DLL file; I just don't know how to use MMF2's DLL object beyond loading the DLL file. And how would I use the DLL object in place of the File-Folder object?

For those interested, you can read more information about Adobe's PDF iFilter here: http://www.adobe.com/support/downloads/detail.jsp?ftpID=2611.


RGBreality

PS for LB: Unfortunately, I'm stuck using PDFs as a distribution means of our product documentation.

[LB]

OK, Let me explain again. The File FOlder object is not going to be replaced in your case! The way it works is the binary object does the file loading and searching. The File-odler object simply goes though every file's path name for the binary object to load. It does not look inside the files!

Also, I would not be one to help with the DLL object :blush: You will have to wait until somone smarter than me (pretty much everyone) will help you.

[RGBreality]

Oh, I see!

Well, it just goes to show that you're a lot smarter than me in these things! I have spent some time (trying to) dissect just how you built that search tool in only two event conditions!

Thank you again for clarifying that for me.

Yeah, looking at the DLL object, I can see it's a little complicated. I'm not even sure I'll be able to use it, since I didn't author the DLL file to know which arguments should be called from within it.

Another option I have considered is using a third-party search tool to run inside my application; in that case, I would desert doing my own search tool. I wonder, though, whether I could run a third-party application so that it appears to run inside mine (so that it looks a bit more integrated). Any ideas about that?

I hope you have a great weekend, man! Thanks again for all your help this week!


Most graciously...

RGBreality

[LB]

Well if you use MMF2 Devloper, you can use the Sphax Kernel object to make the 3rd part window borderless and position it inside your frame.

[RGBreality]

Hey, that's a great idea, LB! See?... You're smarter than you know!

I have another question for you, specifically related to the text search tool you designed for me... I have a List View object in which one column represents the name of the document in which the search hit pertains. I am trying to use a Global String to represent that document name, which would vary depending on which directory the pertinent document is located. (This way, the user can sort the hits by document name.)

However, my attempts at writing a comparative statement (comparing two general values) has failed to successfully generate the text string. Right now, I have a comparative statement which reads something like:

If the Currently Browsed Path of the File-Folder object = "the Current Directory"+"the Drive Name of 'Ultimus Client'" (as specified by the File object), then... Change the specified Global String to read "Ultimus Client Product Documentation".

However, it's obvious that I'm doing something wrong. Should I be referencing the Binary object, since that object actually reads all files? Or am I just writing this conditional statement all wrong?

Have a great one!


RGBreality

[LB]

What are you trying to do again? I think you lost me :blush: