Search in multiple columns using database query in Python/Django?

Question

I have a model like this:

class Info(models.Model):
    tape_id = models.TextField()
    name = models.TextField()
    video_type = models.TextField()
    date = models.DateTimeField()
    director = models.CharField(max_length=255)
    cameraman = models.CharField(max_length=255)
    editor = models.CharField(max_length=255)
    time_code = models.TextField()
    tag1 = models.TextField()

User can search from tape_id, name, director and cameraman using the same search input box. I have a search view like this:

 if request.method == 'POST':
        search_inp = request.POST['search_box']
        tape_id = Info.objects.filter(tape_id__exact=search_inp)
        res = Info.objects.filter(name__icontains=search_inp)
        res = Info.objects.filter(director__icontains=search_inp)
        res = Info.objects.filter(cameraman__icontains=search_inp)
        total_video = res.count()
        if len(res) == 0 and len(tape_id) == 0 :
            result = "No videos found!!"
            return render_to_response('no_results_only.html', {'result':result}, context_instance=RequestContext(request))
        else:
            date1 = [i.date for i in res]
            date = [i.strftime("%B %d, %Y") for i in date1]
            a = zip(res, date)
            return render_to_response('list_videos.html', {'a':a, 'total_video':total_video}, context_instance=RequestContext(request))
        return HttpResponseRedirect('/')

I thought it would work at first but it doesn't. First res variable can contain the value whereas the last res be empty which will return to the no_results.html. I want to deploy this search using the same input box. How can I make this work?

You know that you're rewriting res with each of these queries, right? Anyway, use Q for OR queries. — Bibhas Debnath
– Bibhas Debnath, Commented Apr 2, 2013 at 6:33
Yes, I realized that, I was completely unknown with Q. Thanks mate! — pynovice
– pynovice, Commented Apr 2, 2013 at 6:40

user2234846 · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-02 06:43:49Z

First you need to import Q to use for OR filtering:

from django.db.models import Q

Then your code should look like this:

if request.method == 'POST':
    search_inp = request.POST['search_box']
    res = Info.objects.filter(
        Q(tape_id__exact=search_inp) | 
        Q(name__icontains=search_inp) |
        Q(director__icontains=search_inp) |
        Q(cameraman__icontains=search_inp)
    )
    total_video = res.count()
    if len(res) == 0:
        result = "No videos found!!"
        return render_to_response('no_results_only.html', {'result':result}, context_instance=RequestContext(request))
    else:
        date1 = [i.date for i in res]
        date = [i.strftime("%B %d, %Y") for i in date1]
        a = zip(res, date)
        return render_to_response('list_videos.html', {'a':a, 'total_video':total_video}, context_instance=RequestContext(request))
    return HttpResponseRedirect('/')

Siva Arunachalam · Accepted Answer · 2013-04-02 06:30:05Z

0

It is recommended to apply OR conditions in the filter. You can refer the documentation for the syntax.

Q(question__startswith='Who') | Q(question__startswith='What')

It will make sure that you will get an unique list of objects in the result.

answered Apr 2, 2013 at 6:30

Siva Arunachalam

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1 Comment

pynovice Over a year ago

In my case how can I do that? Q(Info.objects.filter(tape_id__exact=search_inp)) | ......... ?

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