Current Search Pattern

Before you perform a search, the Current Search Pattern box contains the search pattern that you are building. When the view contains at least one search result word list, the box contains the pattern for the active search result word list.

Search patterns

In Phonology Assistant (PA), a search pattern consists of three parts: ◊/◊_◊

• The search item (also known as the target) is at the left of the slash.

• The preceding environment is between the slash and the underscore.

• The following environment is at the right of the underscore.

Each part of a search pattern consists of elements. Search pattern elements include literal phones, classes, descriptive features, distinctive features, diacritic placeholders, and special symbols (including *, +, and #).

Entering search patterns

Do any of the following:

• Select a pattern from the Recent Patterns list.

• Select a pattern from the Saved Patterns list.

• Select pattern-building items from the Patterns & Pattern Building panel.

• Click on the Search toolbar, and then select from the Insert Element into Current Search Pattern menu.

• Use your keyboard to type search-pattern items.

• Use these keyboard shortcuts:

• Ctrl+0 (zero) inserts (diacritic placeholder)

• Ctrl+1 inserts /#_* (Word Initial)

• Ctrl+2 inserts /{[C],[V]}_{[C],[V]} (Word Medial)

• Ctrl+5 inserts /*_* (Anywhere)

• Ctrl+9 inserts /*_# (Word Final).

Note

• Unless (empty tab) appears on the active search result tab, the Current Search Pattern box displays the pattern used to generate the results on the active tab. If you click a different tab, the box displays the pattern used to generate the corresponding results.

  When you modify the pattern in the Current Search Pattern box, it no longer corresponds to the search results on the active tab. To indicate this condition, an exclamation (!) inside a circle or ellipse appears in the middle of the search results word list.

  To refresh the search results to reflect the modified pattern, click Show Results on the Search toolbar.

• When the Current Search Pattern box does not have focus, small arrows appear above and below it to indicate the insertion point where PA will insert pattern-building items selected from the Patterns & Pattern Building panel.

  If you drag items from the Patterns & Pattern Building panel to the Current Search Pattern box, the insertion point moves with the mouse pointer.

• If the Current Search Pattern box ever stops responding (for example, you cannot click, move the insertion point, or type in the box), you might not need to exit PA. Instead, minimize the PA window, restore or maximize the window, and then click in the box.

Related Topics

Search view