The Basics

xqbib has four modes available from the ``Modes'' menubutton:

search mode

is used to find particular entries in the database based on some criteria. You can use the ``simple search'' mechanism by simply typing the search criteria in the fields and hitting <Return>. You will then see a list of ``Search Results'' from which you can choose a single record to edit.

For very specific searches or report generation, you should use the ``Expert Search'' or ``Reports'' menu items under the ``Edit'' menubutton.

add mode

is used to add new entries, singly or in bulk, to the database.

change mode

allows multiple users to modify a single database simultaneously. When one user selects a record to edit, they have a lock on that record and any other users choosing to view that record will be in ``Read-only Mode'' (the record can only be modified by one user at a time).

read-only mode

is only used to release the lock on a record that is currently in ``Change Mode''.

Add mode and change mode enforce the mandatory and optional fields for each entry type. Mandatory fields are a light blue and optional fields are grey by default. You should typically choose an entry type soon after you enter ``Add Mode'' so that you immediately see which data are mandatory.