Restraints and Database Retrieval

Using Match!, you can search the reference pattern database similar to other databases by defining certain conditions which the resulting entries must fulfill ("database retrieval"). These entries (the so-called "answer set") can either be used to limit the search-space for the search-match routine, or of course also independent from any diffraction data. In the latter case, Match! acts as a comfortable retrieval software for your reference pattern database.

In contrast to version 1 of the software, there is no separate "Restraints" dialog anymore. Instead, you enter your selection criteria right away on the "Restraints" tab to the right of the diffraction pattern graphics.

Note: There are five tabs that can be displayed to the right of the diffraction pattern:

In order to switch between these five views, please click on the corresponding "tab headers" below (just above the match list).

The conditions ("restraints") that define the entries you are interested in are entered on the "Restraints" tab. Similar to the "Restraints dialog" in version 1, this tab provides comfortable methods for the input of chemical composition, crystallographic data, physical properties, bibliographic information etc. For instance, so-called "list selection boxes" (which provide a list of all possible values for a restraint) can be used to easily enter criteria like mineral name, formula sum etc.

Normally, the exact matching of the restraints criteria is required. However, if you know only a part of a search string, you can use text fragment searching, by inserting one or more so-called "wild card character(s)" ('*'). This character replaces unknown part(s) of the string. For example, if you enter "Aas*" as author, all author's names which begin with "Aas" will be accepted. It is also possible to use multiple "*" characters in a string: If you know only a part "doki" of an author's name, you can enter "*doki*" to search for all authors whose name contains "doki". Please note that text fragment searching only works with text (string) database fields like "Name", "Space group", "Color", "Author" or "Journal".

Once you have entered a new selection criterion, the index files of the reference database will be searched right away for entries matching the conditions. The candidate list at the bottom will instantly display entries that match your selection criteria ("perpetual restrainting"). You can see the number of entries that match your criteria in the status bar at the bottom of the window.

The "Restraints" tab provides comfortable facilities for the definition of conditions/restraints. It is devided into 7 subpages ("tabsheets") which group the various possible criteria and groups of related topics:

The conditions from all pages are combined by logical AND, whereas two or more values for a certain criterion (e.g. three author names) are combined by logical OR.

Saving of Selection Criteria

If you are frequently using the same restraints (selection criteria) with the current version 1 of Match!, you will instantly know what this feature is about: With the new version, you can easily save the current selection criteria, and recall them later on with just two mouse clicks. Of course, it is possible to save several sets of selection criteria.

You will find the corresponding control elements at the bottom of the "Restraints" (and also "Additional entries") tab to the right of "Preset".

In order to save the current selection criteria (either for restraints or additional entries), simply press the "Save" button. Afterwards, you have to enter a name using which you can easily identify this set of selection criteria later on ("Silicon compounds" in our example).
Your selection criteria will then be stored in your personal settings (e.g. Windows registry). If another person is using the same computer, he can store his own selection criteria independent from your's (of course assuming that he is using his own account on this machine...).

If you would like to recall a certain set of selection criteria, simply press the "arrow down" button of the combobox to the left of the "Save" button, and select the name of the desired selection criteria from the list which opens.
That's it! The selection criteria which have been loaded will instantly be applied to the table of candidate entries (candidate list), and of course also to the entries that are investigated during the Search-Match calculation.