FAQs

Why does the Search feature not return any results (even though I'm sure that there are some satisfying my search criteria)?

Under KDE 3, there is a known problem with selections in control elements (such as check boxes and select boxes) that may not stay highlighted, although they are effectively selected. Some invisible selection may be the reason for nothing satisfying the search criteria. Please try performing Action "Reset Criteria" on the left-hand side of the Search form, and then put back the search criteria.
To find out whether the KDE 3 problem applies to your system and for further information on how to avoid it, also compare the remarks on the main page.

Why does searching for a phrase lead to undesired results?

When searching for a phrase of more than one word, e.g., "Martin Gebser" as an author or "ASP Contest 09" as a tag, the single words are matched, and results containing any single word are joined together. E.g., looking for author "Martin Gebser" would also include results authored by "Martin Brain", and likewise "ASP Contest 09" would include results for the (invented) tag "My ASP collection". To match a phrase of more than one word, you need to enclose the phrase in "'", e.g., "'Martin Gebser'" or "'ASP Contest 09'".

Why are subclasses also selected when I select a class on the Search form?

Check box "Select Subclasses Automatically" on the left-hand side of the Search form is ticked. Untick this check box if you do not want an automatic selection of subclasses along with a parent class.

How can I select multiple items in select boxes?

You can use combination SHIFT+Click to select all items in-between a currently selected item and the one you SHIFT+Click on. To add (remove) a single item to (from) the already selected ones, apply combination CTRL+Click to the item.

Why is the tree of Instance Classes or Problem Classes empty?

Check box "Show Cart Only" on the left-hand side is (probably) ticked. Untick this check box to view the available (nonempty) Instance Classes or Problem Classes.

Why does the tree of Instance Classes or Problem Classes lack some classes?

Check box "Show Empty Classes" on the left-hand side is (probably) unticked. Tick this check box to view also classes that do not yet contain any instance or encoding files, respectively.

What is a Standalone Encoding?

It is a logic program that encodes a single, unique problem, and which is thus not to be combined with any instance. For example, randomly generated ground programs or logic programs produced by some problem-specific compiler would likely be standalone.

What do the structures selectable when downloading the contents of the Cart mean?

Asparagus offers four different folder structures to be used within download archives:
  • Plain: Do not use any folder structure to group files within the download archive.
  • With Hierarchy: Derive folder structure from Asparagus hierarchies (for encodings and/or instances) and place files into folders by class membership.
  • Rough Division: Include exactly one folder each for encoding and instance files.
  • Rough + Hierarchy: Use separate folders for encoding and instance files and further derive folder structure from corresponding Asparagus hierarchy.

What does it mean to "Make Download Link Static"?

The Cart actions include an item "Save Cart" to obtain a link to the current Cart with its contents. However, if files change later on (or are deleted), the changes will be reflected when returning to the cart.
In contrast to this, the archive obtained from a static download link will be frozen, that is, later changes done in Asparagus will not affect the contents of a static archive. This may be practical to make reference to a certain collection of benchmarks. After its creation (press "Download"), a static download link can be copied (and pasted) via an item "Download Link", which works in the same way as "Save Cart" mentioned above.
(Only registered users are allowed to create a static download link, while this functionality is unavailable and thus invisible to unregistered users.)

How can I add a collection of instances or encodings without pasting them one-by-one?

You can use "Import Instances" or "Import Encodings" on the left-hand side. This allows you to upload an archive of instance or encoding files, respectively.
(Only registered users are allowed to add instances or encodings, while this functionality is unavailable and thus invisible to unregistered users.)

How can I simultaneously edit properties of multiple instances or encodings?

You can add the instances or encodings to the Cart, go to the Cart, and then click on "[edit]" next to "Instances" and/or "Encodings" (depending on the Cart's contents) on the left-hand side of the Cart form. Please leave fields untouched, except for the ones for properties that you want to modify uniformly for all instances or encodings in the Cart.
(Only registered users are allowed to edit properties, while this functionality is unavailable and thus invisible to unregistered users.)

Why are symbols "<" and ">" not displayed after entering them into a text field?

Symbols "<" and ">" are (mistakenly) interpreted as angle brackets around an HTML tag. To avoid such a wrong interpretation, please leave a blank behind "<".
(Of course, no blank should be left if "<" is indeed opening an HTML tag.)