Enhance Hydrus: Custom Client-Side Sorting And Filtering

by SLV Team 57 views
Enhance Hydrus: Custom Client-Side Sorting and Filtering

Hey Hydrus users! Let's dive into an exciting proposal to level up your Hydrus experience: custom client-side sorting and filtering. This enhancement aims to give you more control over how you view and manage your files, especially in non-Hydrus views. Imagine being able to arrange and sift through your collection based on your own unique criteria, making it easier to find exactly what you're looking for. This article will explore the benefits, potential implementation, and why this feature would be a game-changer.

The Need for Custom Sorting and Filtering

Currently, Hydrus offers powerful search capabilities, but sometimes you need more than just a search. You might want to organize your files in a specific order that isn't covered by the default options, or you might want to filter them based on criteria that aren't part of the standard metadata. This is where custom sorting and filtering come in.

The primary motivation behind this proposal is to provide users with the ability to manipulate the order or remove files from a non-Hydrus view. Currently, the Hydrus view has limitations, and until those are addressed, this feature would serve as a valuable workaround. Think of it as a way to create your own temporary, customized views without affecting the underlying database or search functionality. This means you can experiment with different arrangements and filters without worrying about messing up your main library.

For example, you might want to sort a collection of images by their aspect ratio or filter them based on a custom tag that you've added. Or, you might want to exclude files that are below a certain resolution or that have a specific rating. The possibilities are endless, and they all depend on your individual needs and preferences.

This feature would be particularly useful for users who have large and diverse collections. It would allow them to quickly and easily find the files they need, even if they don't remember the exact tags or metadata associated with them. It would also be a great way to discover new connections between files that you might not have noticed before.

By implementing custom sorting and filtering, we can empower users to take full control of their Hydrus experience and make it even more tailored to their specific workflows. This is about giving you the tools to manage your files in the way that makes the most sense to you.

Potential Implementation: A Scripting Language

One of the ideas floated for implementing this feature is to use a quick-and-dirty scripting language. Now, I know what you might be thinking: "Scripting? That sounds complicated!" But hear me out. A simple scripting language could provide a flexible and powerful way to define custom sorting and filtering rules without requiring extensive programming knowledge.

This scripting language could be designed specifically for Hydrus, with a syntax that is easy to learn and use. It could include functions for accessing file metadata, performing comparisons, and applying logical operations. For example, you could write a script that sorts files by their size, then filters out any files that are smaller than a certain threshold.

Here’s a basic example of how such a script might look:

sort by: file_size
filter: file_size > 1MB

This script would first sort the files in the current view by their size, from smallest to largest. Then, it would filter out any files that are smaller than 1 megabyte, leaving only the larger files in the view. Of course, this is a very simple example, and the scripting language could support much more complex operations.

Another example could be sorting by resolution and filtering by specific tags:

sort by: resolution_width * resolution_height
filter: has_tag("favorite") AND NOT has_tag("nsfw")

This script would sort the files by their resolution (width multiplied by height), effectively sorting them by the number of pixels. Then, it would filter the files to only show those that have the tag "favorite" and do not have the tag "nsfw".

The beauty of a scripting language is that it allows for a high degree of customization. You could create scripts to sort and filter files based on any criteria that are available in the file metadata. You could also combine multiple criteria to create very specific and targeted views.

Of course, there would be challenges to implementing a scripting language. It would need to be designed carefully to ensure that it is both powerful and easy to use. It would also need to be secure, to prevent malicious scripts from damaging your Hydrus library. But with careful planning and execution, a scripting language could be a valuable tool for enhancing the Hydrus experience.

Benefits of Custom Sorting and Filtering

Implementing custom sorting and filtering in Hydrus would bring a plethora of benefits to its users, enhancing their workflow and overall experience. Let's break down some of the key advantages:

  • Enhanced Organization: This feature would allow users to organize their files in ways that make the most sense to them. No more being limited by predefined sorting options. You could sort by resolution, aspect ratio, file type, or any other metadata you find relevant. This level of control is invaluable for users with large and diverse collections.
  • Improved Efficiency: By quickly filtering out irrelevant files, you can focus on the content that matters most. Imagine you're looking for a specific type of image within a large folder. With custom filtering, you can narrow down the results in seconds, saving you time and frustration. Efficiency is key, especially when dealing with massive amounts of data.
  • Increased Discoverability: Custom sorting and filtering can help you uncover hidden gems within your collection. By arranging files in unconventional ways, you might stumble upon connections and patterns that you wouldn't have noticed otherwise. This can lead to new creative ideas and a deeper appreciation for your existing library.
  • Personalized Workflow: Every user has their own unique way of working with files. Custom sorting and filtering allows you to tailor Hydrus to your specific workflow, making it a more intuitive and efficient tool. This personalization is what sets Hydrus apart from other media management solutions.
  • Flexibility: Until Hydrus natively supports more advanced view manipulation, custom sorting and filtering provides a flexible workaround. It allows you to experiment with different arrangements and filters without affecting the underlying database. This flexibility is crucial for users who want to push the boundaries of what's possible with Hydrus.

In short, custom sorting and filtering would empower users to take full control of their Hydrus experience, making it more organized, efficient, and personalized. It's a feature that would truly elevate Hydrus to the next level.

Addressing Potential Concerns

Of course, with any new feature proposal, there are potential concerns that need to be addressed. Let's take a look at some of the most common concerns regarding custom sorting and filtering and how they might be mitigated:

  • Performance Impact: One of the main concerns is the potential impact on performance, especially when dealing with large collections. Sorting and filtering can be computationally intensive operations, and if not implemented carefully, they could slow down Hydrus. To mitigate this, the scripting language could be designed to be as efficient as possible, and the sorting and filtering operations could be optimized for performance. Additionally, users could be given the option to limit the scope of the sorting and filtering to a subset of their collection.
  • Complexity: Another concern is the potential complexity of the scripting language. Some users might find it difficult to learn and use, especially if they don't have any prior programming experience. To address this, the scripting language could be designed to be as simple and intuitive as possible. It could also be accompanied by comprehensive documentation and tutorials. Additionally, a library of pre-built scripts could be provided, allowing users to quickly and easily apply common sorting and filtering rules.
  • Security Risks: Introducing a scripting language could also introduce security risks. Malicious scripts could potentially be used to damage your Hydrus library or compromise your system. To minimize these risks, the scripting language could be sandboxed, preventing it from accessing sensitive data or performing dangerous operations. Additionally, scripts could be subject to review and approval before they are allowed to be executed.
  • Maintenance Burden: Maintaining a custom scripting language could also be a significant burden. The language would need to be updated and maintained to keep it compatible with future versions of Hydrus. To reduce this burden, the scripting language could be based on an existing scripting language, such as Lua or Python. This would allow the Hydrus developers to leverage the existing ecosystem of tools and libraries, and it would also make it easier for users to learn and use the language.

By carefully considering these concerns and implementing appropriate mitigation strategies, we can ensure that custom sorting and filtering is a valuable and safe addition to Hydrus.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the addition of custom client-side sorting and filtering to Hydrus would be a significant enhancement, empowering users with greater control over their media collections. By enabling personalized organization, improved efficiency, and increased discoverability, this feature would cater to diverse user needs and workflows. While potential concerns regarding performance, complexity, security, and maintenance exist, they can be effectively addressed through careful planning, efficient implementation, and appropriate mitigation strategies.

The proposed scripting language offers a flexible and powerful solution for defining custom sorting and filtering rules, allowing users to tailor their Hydrus experience to their specific requirements. Although the initial learning curve might be a concern for some, the benefits of a highly customizable and adaptable system far outweigh the challenges.

Ultimately, custom sorting and filtering represents a step forward in making Hydrus an even more versatile and user-friendly media management tool. By embracing this enhancement, Hydrus can continue to evolve and meet the ever-changing needs of its dedicated user base. Let's work together to bring this vision to life and unlock the full potential of Hydrus!