Search-on-the-fly/sort-on-the-fly search engine for searching databases

摘要

A method implemented on a computer for searching databases includes the computer receiving a search query for a database, the database including database fields; and dynamically providing and displaying a list of a plurality of the database fields. The list includes a descriptor indicating a data category of each database field. The computer also dynamically determines a quantity of entries in each database field. For each database field, the computer dynamically sets a limit based on a capacity to display the quantity of entries and for each database field having the quantity of entries exceeding the limit, the computer truncates data by adjusting a size of the quantity of entries until a displayable quantity of entries is achieved. The computer then displays the truncated data.