Color-coding for formula-based categories

[axel.hennig]

The IMatch help - Categories says:


I don't know why, but would it be possible to have this feature?

Reason: I would like to set-up some formula-based "check-categories" like "file is not assigned to top-level category xyz". If I scroll through some images I would like to see a color-bar in the File-Window indicating that this or that image has "problems".

[Mario]

This restriction was initially required (in IMatch 5) because of performance issues.

Over the years, computer performance has improved massively and I have improved performance for or re-implemented many time-critical sections of IMatch. In many cases, the performance now depends solely on disk speed and database speed.

I have pondered lifting the "no color-coding for formula categories" restriction occasionally and it is on my long-term to do list.
So, this morning I enabled it and made some tests. And performance was miserable, due to complexity, hierarchy, side-effects etc. to consider when using the standard routines available for this purpose in IMatch.

Then I've implemented a special set of functions, solely to deal with formula-based categories for color-coding, which is a lot more specialized than the normal routines used. And this worked out quite well.

So, in short, the next release of IMatch 2023 (2023.2.2) supports color-coding for formula-based categories.
Which will be helpful in some situations, e.g. color-flagging files in one of the "No this or that" child categories of the IMatch Workflow categories set, or similar.

[axel.hennig]

Thanks a lot!

[axel.hennig]

This works really great, so thanks again!

[Mario]

This works really great, so thanks again!

You're welcome. Don't overdo it, though. Unless you work with smaller databases or you have a beefy PC.