How to get back to a Search Results page? : ASP (classic) VBScript, HTML

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02.23.2008 at 09:12AM PST, ID: 23187223

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8.1

How to get back to a Search Results page?

Zones: VB Script, Active Server Pages (ASP), Hypertext Markup Language (HTML)

Tags: ASP (classic) VBScript, HTML

What is the simplest way to implement the feature, similar to breadcrumbs, to get back to a search results page?

Web site pages:

A,) Search Page
B.) Search Results Page
C.) Shopping Cart Page

I want the user to be able to go: A -> B -> C -> B

A user starts on a search page, which takes him to a results page. From there, the user selects an item, which is loaded into his shopping cart and the shopping cart page opens. The shopping cart page offers the option to checkout, or "Continue Shopping." If they continue shopping, I want them to return to the search results page.

Complications:
There are actually 2 different Search Pages: Search (A1), and Advanced Search (A2.) In fact, there are really even more that that: a couple of dropdown options in the site navigation menu, plus the user is allowed to save search criteria and run a search based on a saved search.
And, of course, the Search Results may be any number of pages, depending on how many items meet the search criteria. So, for example, if a user had selected an item on Search Results page 4, how do I get the user back not only to their Search Results page, but to Search Results page 4?

It is also possible that a user may log in, and go: C -> A1 or A2? In other words, log in, go directly to his shopping cart, and decide to hit the "Continue Shopping" button. Where do I direct them? (that is a minor issue.)

The Advanced Search page may create variables that will be used in dynamic SQL, or set filters from options. The Search Results page is sent a querystring denoting where the search criteria is from (could be from either Search Page A1 or A2, a saved search, or a menu option. Because there is (possibly) dynamic SQL used, there are server side routines to examine and scrub the SQL. I mention all of this, because this is not something I can see as being easy to hold in cookies or session variables. (Though that may be the only way.)

Maybe it is not realistic to think I can get the user back to Search Results page 4, but I need to get them back to at least the same results, on the first page of results.

How would you do this?

Thanks,

Dennis

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Question Stats

Zone: Programming

Question Asked By: dtleahy

Solution Provided By: jason1178

Participating Experts: 3

Solution Grade: A

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02.24.2008 at 09:47AM PST, ID: 20970630

dtleahy:

I know it can be done with cookies or session variables. But, I was hoping there is another way that would be easier. And, I know there are pros and cons to using cookies and to using session variables. If that's the only way, then what is the best way?

Thanks!

Dennis

02.25.2008 at 12:17AM PST, ID: 20973571

Rank: Guru

jason1178:

Hi dtleahy,

>> I know it can be done with cookies or session variables. But, I was hoping there is another way that would be easier.

There really isn't. This is not hard to do with sessions or cookies, you just store the various search strings in the session variables as the user sets them and call them back when the user returns to the page.

So on page A your script would do something like this:

Is the session set?

If yes, is the variable for the search for this page set?

If yes, rerun the search using the value in the variable.

If no, display the search form in its default state.

Accepted Solution

02.26.2008 at 11:26AM PST, ID: 20987741

Rank: Wizard

mplungjan:

How does this work for you - assuming the same search page and no need to re-do the search:

Hide the result list and ajax the other pages in, then when the user wants to return, hide the other pages and show the result page

Assisted Solution

02.28.2008 at 08:32PM PST, ID: 21010884

Rank: Master

rdivilbiss:

It is a little (as in much) more complicated than it first appears. I'll have a demo app w/code soon.

For example: when a user enters a search, say shoes, then you display the shoes page and they ask for loafers, you need to show the loafers. The user selects a loafer model and adds it to the cart, then when the user returns to the catalogue he should be back on loafers, and would he go back another page, be on shoes, etc.

You'll need hidden form fields, as well as session variables as well as a method to determine how (WHY) the user is on the particular page. So you'll either need a lot of ASP to build some of the HTML or some JavaScript to set the page modes to be proper.

Assisted Solution

03.01.2008 at 05:12PM PST, ID: 21024481

Rank: Master

rdivilbiss:

There are many ways this could be accomplished, but here is an example which demonstrates some of the issues you will need to deal with.

Frankly, unlike these example pages, in the real world I'd pull product information from a db and wrap it in HTML by using ASP before displaying it.

http://www.rodsdot.com/ee/search_results_Q_23187223.asp

Assisted Solution

04.27.2008 at 06:40AM PDT, ID: 21449116

dtleahy:

I am using two different search pages - standard and advanced - and the advanced page especially has quite a few attributes, some in ranges, some allowing single or multiple picks from dynamic lists...

Bottom line is that the search results page is already code heavy and complex, and there does not seem to be a simple (or even moderately simple) solution to this functionality. If I ever do go back and add this functionality, I will write out all the variables into session variables on the search page(s) and then always read them back on the search results page to get the variables to run the search algorithm. That way, the session variables are there no matter what, and can be used for a return to the specific search results until the session variables are altered. More work than I wanted (right now.)

Ajax might be another solution, but again involves a major rewrite of a big complex page. I would also need to assess the security risks.

I note all of this to tell any future developer who finds this thread that there may or may not be a difinitive answer to this functionality in the answers that have been awarded points - you'll have to do your homework and decide for your project. It does appear that you should pre-think this strategy, so you can write your page once, rather than trying to add this functionality after the fact. And, for most search routines, it is probably not a big deal to implement.

I'm going to split points with each respondent that offered advice.

Thanks!

Dennis

04.27.2008 at 07:26AM PDT, ID: 21449208

Rank: Wizard

mplungjan:

Unaccepted to allow a split
mplungjan. ee page editor

dtleahy

04.27.2008 at 06:43AM PDT, ID: 21449124

Gaak! I meant to split points! I'll see if a mod can do that for me.

-Dennis

dtleahy

04.27.2008 at 12:38PM PDT, ID: 21450144

OK, points now split as intended. Thanjs!

20080236-EE-VQP-29 / EE_QW_2_20070628