Search-on-the-fly/sort-on-the-fly search engine for searching databases

A computer-implemented method for searching a database, comprising a computer:

• receiving a database access request;
• displaying a list of data fields of the database;
• and
• for a data field in the list of the data fields:
• dynamically determining a quantity indicative of displayable records comprising the data field,
• setting a display limit on the quantity,
• dynamically determining the quantity exceeds the display limit,
• dynamically reducing an amount of the quantity in relation to the display limit, and
• displaying the reduced amount of the quantity.

A method implemented on a computer for searching data sources, comprising the computer:

• receiving a data source access request;
• accessing data fields of the data sources, each of the data fields including a data field descriptor;
• displaying a list comprising the data field descriptor for each of the data fields;
• determining a quantity of entries for each of the data fields;
• setting a limit based on a capacity of a terminal to display the quantity of entries;
• and
• if the quantity of entries exceeds the limit:
• truncating data by adjusting a size of the quantity of entries until a displayable result list is achieved, and
• displaying the truncated data.

A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having encoded thereon, machine instructions that when executed, cause a computer to:

• receive a database access request for a database, the database including database fields;
• dynamically provide and display a list of a plurality of the database fields, wherein the list includes a descriptor indicating a data category of each database field;
• dynamically determine a quantity of entries in each database field;
• for each database field, dynamically set a limit based on a capacity to display the quantity of entries;
• and
• for each database field having the quantity of entries exceeding the limit:
• truncate data by adjusting a size of the quantity of entries until a displayable quantity of entries is achieved, and
• display the truncated data.