Advanced Filtering
Introduction
DOORS Next Generation, as a requirements management tool, offers several filtering options to help users sift through large volumes of data. However, there are still several advanced filters that the platform does not currently support. As part of its commitment to enhancing user experience and streamlining workflows, IBM has announced plans to improve the filtering capabilities of DOORS Next Generation in version 7.1.
The objective of this extension is to provide DNG users with the ability to create sophisticated filters that are currently not feasible within DNG's existing functionality. The script enhances the filtering capability of a module that is absent in DNG and is particularly desired by former DOORS 9 users. The extension offers the capability to filter artifacts based on complex user-defined criteria, including both "AND" and "OR" filtering options in different attributes or within primary text (Primary text contains "system" OR "product"), nesting filters, filtering specific system attributes, which are not available in DOORS Next filtering UI.
Use Cases and Features
Based on the functionalities and use cases that this extension is helping you with, the user interface contains following elements:
Widget information section - section with version, short description and other information about the extension
Dropdown menu of existing views - all views that have been created using this widget will be displayed in the dropdown menu
Checkbox for view type - the user can choose whether he wants to create a shared or private view
Headings and/or Children selection - selection of whether the view shall include the ancestors and/or descendants of the artifacts that are matching the filter.
Custom condition - the user can combine several filters using AND/OR conditions within one view
Custom filter - the widget provides a series of filters that the user knows from DNG Main button - after all necessary selections are made this button must be pressed to start an extension
The Advanced Filtering extension provides the users with the possibility to create a custom view with complex filters. The views are can be created in two ways:
Using tags
Once all of the view properties and the filters are specified in the extension UI, the widget (once confirmed by the user) will save the view using the filter for a specific tag that is assigned to all artifacts that are matching those selected criteria. The tag is generated by the extension and the views can be "refreshed" - the existing views will always use the same tag, so it can be re-assigned to artifacts once there were changes done in the filtered data.
Using IDs
Instead of using tags as described in previous option the widget will use DOORS Next artifacts IDs to create the filter and save the view (the views created using IDs can be refreshed in the same way as the ones using tags). The IDs of the artifacts are stored in our custom java application (Softacus Java Application - SJA) to ensure the consistency of the created views over the time.
Both types of the views described above can use advanced filtering options such as:
"OR" filter - an advanced filtering option in the form of an "OR" filter, enabling the creation of complex views that cannot be achieved through standard filters in DNG. With this feature, users can combine criteria for values in different attributes using the logical OR operator, and further refine the results by adding additional criteria using the AND operator. This powerful capability enhances the flexibility and precision of filtering within DOORS Next.
Specific system attributes filters - by enabling the filtering of specific system attributes, such as "Description" or "Section", this feature offers users greater control over the data displayed in their views. Furthermore, the development team is actively exploring the implementation of a "Used in" filter to further enhance the functionality of this extension.
Processing of all data types - the extension provides comprehensive filtering capabilities across all the data types in DOORS Next, including enumeration, boolean, user, date, string etc.
Advanced "Primary text" filters - equips users with the capability to perform filtered searches within the primary text field, based on user-specified criteria. This feature enables users to refine their views based on specific keywords, phrases, or other search criteria. For example, users can utilize this functionality to search for primary text containing specific terms such as "system" or "product." With this advanced capability, users can quickly and accurately identify the data they need within their views.
Filters including ancestors and descendants - empowers users to create views with parent or child artifacts of the ones that are matching the filter, according to their unique needs and preferences.
All of the views created by an extension can be defined as either personal or public views, as it is possible in DOORS Next and to improve user productivity and simplify the process these views can be updated by the user with one click.
Preconditions and Restrictions
As with any software solution, this extension has certain limitations that users should be aware of. The limitations of Advanced Filtering extension includes:
Inability to create a view or temporary filter within a baseline due to the inability to write tags in baselines.
This widget is designed to function exclusively within a designated module. If the user fails to meet these prerequisites, the widget will display an informative message.
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