Query
The query (1.9.3 and latter) provides multiple options on one screen like the combination search, except that you define the searches by adding criteria lines. This is similar to the primary search in Zyzzyva and possibly other search engines. After adding a criteria line, users select the search to use from the dropdown box for Search Type. Based on the search option selected, parameters will be requested. Hoot uses the results from the earlier lines as input to newer lines.
Until the Hoot database is modified Hoot may be slow on big searches since Probability, RP, and Score are calculated on the fly. To speed up searches, narrow down results in first criteria. You might also find that combination searches may be faster and more intuitive.
As in Zyzzyva, some searches may be so time-consuming that it would appear that Hoot is locked up. This is common with multiple criteria returning large lists of results. When that happens, simply close the application, restart it and try narrower search criteria. At some point threading may be added to allow users to abort time-consuming searches more easily.
List Format
The Query list results are displayed with five columns:
Front hooks
Word
Back hooks
Probability
RP (relative probability)
Definitions are not yet displayed. While it was a part, I dropped it because it was too slow with the current database structures. It will be added back in the future. There is also no playability option. O'Laughlin's list doesn't appeal to me. I believe it should be based on the ABILITY to PLAY a word on the board, not valuableness. Yes, that's a word. And I'm working on a formula for that. You can widen or narrow the columns depending on the length of words, hooks, etc. You can also rearrange the columns displayed by dragging the column header to the desired column.
Sorting
In addition to being able to move columns around, you can sort the list by the column clicked on. Hoot normally returns results and sorts by length first, then alphabetically. Clicking on the Word column sorts alphabetically. To resort based on length/then alpha, use the Normal sort button on the ribbon.
Join Types
Unlike the Zyzzyva search, there is no NOT option. Instead, Hoot allows one of three join types. The WHERE is the normal join type. Each line finds words that are in the previous line's results. The EXCEPT is the same as the NOT in Zyzzyva. An EXCEPT line will take away words that are in the previous line's results. In order to find words with a Q and no U, you might use the following.
WHERE Contains Letter: Q
EXCEPT Contains Letter: U
A third join type is the PLUS. This search returns new results and adds them to the previous search results.
Search Types
All
The first line defaults to the Where join type, and has an additional search option, ALL. All represents all words in the Lexicon and can be used to search for words using the Except option on the second. For example, you can search for all words in the current lexicon (i.e. WJ2), except for words in the TWL98 lexicon. This shows the new words you may need to learn. You can also add a line that filters by word length. WJ2 includes words up to 21 characters long.
In Lexicon
In Lexicon finds all words in the current lexicon that are also in the selected lexicon. This may be most used to search words in the current lexicon that are not in the selected lexicon as in the previous illustration.
In List
Finds words in one of the subject lists.
Pattern
Pattern searches is a powerful and complicated option that is discussed on the Pattern page. Many popular searches can be executed using the Pattern search.
Letter Count
Letter count will bring in all words that are the selected length. This is useful for beginners studying 2, 3, or 4 letter words. For longer lists, you can select the filter option to only show words from this list that begin with a certain letter, such as all 4-letter words beginning with J.
Between Lengths
The lengths option returns words between two selected lengths.
Contains Letters
Contains Letters is used to display words that contain at least one of the letters in the search box. If you are studying all of the words containing Q or X, you enter those letters in the search box. For words containing words with both Q and X, use the Anagrams search screen, or patterns. This might also be called the "Contains any letter" search.
Contains All Letters
This search finds words that contains ALL of the letters in the search and then some. This is the equivalent of getting anagrams and including question marks in the search. This is also referred to as superanagrams. If you consider the previous query for words that contain both Q and X, if you enter QX in the search box and search for words up to 6-letters long you would get the one word that meets that criteria, EXEQUY. This option is also useful when studying stems.
Begins With
This option allows you to search for words with the selected beginning. The combo box is populated with common prefixes, but you can enter any letter or combination or letters in the box. When a prefix is selected or entered, it becomes the search term.
Ends With
This option allows you to search for words with the selected beginning. The combo box is populated with common prefixes, but you can enter any letter or combination or letters in the box.
Takes Prefix/Suffix
Unlike the Begins With and Ends With option, Takes Prefix (Suffix) finds words that can be prefixed (suffixed) by the selected prefix (suffix). With Begins With, some words beginning with a certain prefix may not be words on their own.
Has No Hooks
Has No Hooks limits the list to words that do not have hooks. Ideally, you would include other parameters before finding words with no hooks.
Anagrams
An anagram is a word that contains all of the same letters, but in a different order. This is also called the "Contains all letters" option in some other software, but is best known as anagrams. Many players learn to recognize anagrams on their rack and learn to find alternate plays based on the state of the board. They are particularly useful in playing bingos. Many words do not have anagrams and players often rely on playing a limited number of tiles from their rack, or adding letters from the board to form words. Subanagrams, suberanagrams, and blank anagrams are useful for that.
Subanagrams
A subanagram is a word that contains only some of the letters in the search box, but NO OTHER letters. The search tracks the number of letters. If the search word has only one S, it won't return words with two S's. A subanagram search for WISE will not return SEWS. Specify the length of the words you want returned. Obviously, it can't be more than the number of letters in the search box.
Superanagrams
A superanagram is a word that contains ALL of the letters in the search and then some. This is the same as the "Contains All letters" option. Again, it should be obvious that the maximum number of letters has to be more than the word length. This is the equivalent of getting anagrams and including question marks in the search. If you consider the previous query for words that contain both Q and X, if you enter QX in the search box and search for Super Anagrams up to 6-letters long you would get the one word that meets that criteria, EXEQUY. This option is also particularly useful when studying stems.
Hooks
Hooks have two meanings in practice. It can be a letter that you add to an existing word to form a new word, although some also refer to the new word as a hook. The hooked letter can either be at the beginning or the end of the existing word. For example the word ION has four hooks and the results will list the words CION, LION, PION, IONS, while one of the most hookable words is AT, with 19 hooks. Although hooks are useful for a player to know, this screen may not be that useful. You can see the hook letters for a word in the Front Hooks and Back Hooks columns.
Compound Words
Compound words returns a list of words made from two other words. Unlike the Combination Search option, you can specify the joining word lengths. For example, you may choose to display words made of a three letter word and a seven letter word (3+7. Hoot returns words that are formed from the two words. If you also want words that are formed from seven+three letter words, you can add that criteria and select the Plus join option. Just remember that the search is for 10 letter words.
Filter
There is no filter option as in the Combination search. The filter there limits the list to words that can be played with the letters entered. You can activate that same functionality by selecting Subanagrams.
Search Term
The search term includes the letters or word you are doing the search on. With most search options you have the freedom to include a '?' in the search word to match words with an additional letter. The '?' could represent a blank you have, or anticipate playing with a tile on the board. In pattern searches acceptable characters in the search term are expanded considerably and have special meaning. See Patterns for a more comprehensive list of acceptable characters used in a pattern search. A few searches don't require a search term, such as letter count and compound words.
The '?' or blank is a building block for anagramming, particularyl searching for superanagrams, and blank anagrams. For example, the anagram for TISANE? would be the same as selecting TISANE and Superanagrams that are 7 letters long. You could also use blanks to find all four letter words that contain a Q by entering Q???. In the case of subanagrams, including a '?' is one way to show blank matches, matches that include a substitute letter in the search term. WISE? will return SITE, which matches all letters except the 'W'.
More...
You can also open a search in a separate (Popup) window showing only the list. See the Context menu page for a complete description of options available from the context menu. The save/list options are not yet available in the Query search.