Combining Category Selection and Search Query Entry

When selecting a new current category, it is also possible to preserve the original current query or to define a new current query at the same time. This is done by appending a search query command to the end of a category specification.

One significant semantic difference is that the use of a single forward-slash (‘/’) after a category specification indicates that the existing current query is to be preserved and applied to the new category; it does not mean that the current query is to be canceled. This usage is consistent with the way a single forward-slash is used to represent the current query during search query append commands.

Following are syntax and semantic descriptions for news window commands which will select a new current category. These descriptions assume the command text is being entered into an existing news window. If a particular setting is not explicitly shown to receive a new value, then its value remains unchanged.

Select a new category and a new search query:

category / search_query

current_category category

previous_query current_query

current_query search_query

Select a new category, preserving and re-applying the existing current query:

category /

current_category category

Select a new category, recalling the previous query to be the new current query:

category //

current_category category

previous_query current_query

Select a new category, appending a new query element to the existing current query to form the new current query:

category / operator new_element

current_category category

previous_query current_query

current_query (current_query) operator new_element

Note: Parentheses are placed around the original current query value unless the given operator serves to extend a chained query element in the original current query. For example, if the original current query was “a & b & c” and the new operator and element were “& d”, the new value for the current query setting would be “a & b & c & d”, not “(a & b & c) & d”.

Select a new category, appending a new query element to the existing previous query to form the new current query:

category // operator new_element

current_category category

current_query (previous_query) operator new_element

Note 1: The original current query is discarded and the previous query remains unchanged.

Note 2: Parentheses are placed around the original previous query value unless the given operator serves to extend a chained query element in the original previous query. For example, if the original previous query was “a & b & c” and the new operator and element were “& d”, the new value for the current query setting would be “a & b & c & d”, not “(a & b & c) & d”.