Repository Query Window

The Repository Query window is almost identical to the enhanced Management Query window provided by VA Assist. The primary difference is that the Repository Query window performs searches of the repository rather that the workspace.

As with the Management Query window, the Repository Query window has the ability to save custom queries, modify existing queries and bookmark queries. Clicking the "Save Query..." button will prompt for the name of the query to be saved. If the name entered is a new name, then the query will be appended to the current list of defined queries. If the name entered is the same as the name of an existing query, then the new query definition will replace the existing query definition. To delete an existing query, select the query using the drop down combo box,  then click the "Delete Query..." button. Any query can be bookmarked by clicking on the bookmark icon.

The only queries that make sense in the context of the repository are "Open Edition", "Unreleased", "Versioned" and "All". The scope of the query may be set to the "Entire Repository" or a specific working set. Owner and developer queries may also be run against any arbitrary user or set of users by selecting the last radio button in each group (the label reflects the user selected).

Package and type queries when applied to the entire repository can be very time consuming (on the order of several minutes). If you wish to run package or type queries, it is best to set the scope of the search to a specific working set. If those queries are executed against the entire repository, you are prompted as to whether you want to run the query in a background process (recommended).

Note that repository queries may be set to always run in a background process by setting the "Execute queries in background" option on the "VA Assist | Queries" options page (quickly accessible via the "Settings" button). You may also speed up the search process by excluding system components (e.g., IBM and Sun projects, packages and classes) and limiting the search depth within the repository. Set the search depth to "1", for example, will cause only the most recent editions to be searched. Since the query runs against the repository, returned components will be shadow components by default. If you would prefer to have the query return loaded (non-shadow) versions of any components loaded within your workspace, turn off the "Return shadows only" option.