Search returns "null" on first search only

That sounds like a problem I had just started noticing with some new builds of AIR help from RoboHelp 9. I have reported it, you should too.

Please follow this link.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

Hi,

Please try the solution given below and see if it works fine for you or not. Generate Browser Based AIR Help output.

Now open the generated output folder and open whfhost.js file in the notepad application. Search for the following strings in the file. you need to replace this function

function Query()
{
    gbAIRSearchString  = goOdinHunter.strQuery;
    g_CurPage = 1;
    context = new HuginContext();
    context.reset();
    context.push( goOdinHunter.query, goOdinHunter,
                  processHunterResult, null );
    context.resume();
}

With this new function

function isValidType(obj)
{
    return ( (typeof(obj)!='undefined')&&(obj!=null) );
}

function Query()
{
    gbAIRSearchString  = goOdinHunter.strQuery;
    g_CurPage = 1;
    if (isValidType(context) && isValidType(context.aTasks))
    {
        while(context.aTasks.length>0)
        {
            context.resume();
        }
    }
    context = new HuginContext();
    context.reset();
    context.push( goOdinHunter.query, goOdinHunter,
                  processHunterResult, null );
    context.resume();
}

And try running the output and see if you stilll face the null search result problem

If this problem is fixed, then you can go to the C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 8\RoboHTML\WebHelp5Ext\template_stock folder location, and make the similar changes in the whfhost.js file located in this folder.

Do let me know if this fixes the problem or not.

Note: this should work fine for RH8 and RH9 both.

thanks

Praful

Adobe RoboHelp Team.

Great to hear that the issue was resolved.

thanks

Praful Jain

I have the same issue, but does this mean that every time I compile and wanna push a new build out, I have to manually swap out this code snippet?

I'm using RoboHelp 9 (as part of TCS).

The file is copied from C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe RoboHelp 9\RoboHTML\WildFireExt\template_stock or wherever you have RoboHelp installed. You could try editing the source file but do copy the original to a safe location in case you have problems further down the line.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

Thanks, Peter.

Unfortunately, I searched the whfhost.js file and it doesn't contain the code snippet that is supposed to be replaced so I'm back where I started I'm afraid.

Note: My RoboHelp files are located in the Program Files (x86) folder, though I'm running a 64-bit Windows 7 machine.

I located that Javascript file inside my Output folder and found the code snippet (and replaced it), but of course, when I compiled the project, the old code snippet was back inside the file, so I don't quite know where it's coming from if I can't find it in the Adobe RoboHelp folder . . . where RoboHelp is installed and permanently stored.

Ah ha (slapping palm to forehead).

I should have been in the WebHelp5Ext folder (as Praful_Jain described), but I was in a different folder (the WildFireExt by mistake).

It works now. Happy days are here again.

Cheers,

Michael

mraymond22 wrote:

 

Unfortunately, I searched the whfhost.js file and it doesn't contain the code snippet that is supposed to be replaced so I'm back where I started I'm afraid.

Check again in Program Files. I found that code on Line 3151.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

Hi Praful,

I've just tried the wfhost.js modification as per your post and unfortunately I still get "null" when I run a text search in AIR help.

I'm pretty sure I followed your instructions to the letter.

Any suggestions?

Have there been any developments with this issue?

Thanks very much in advance.

Cheers,

andy

This problem had gone quiet since Praful posted the fix so I'm not sure why you should be having a problem.

You generated an output and then applied this fix, correct? If you applied the fix and then regenerated, the fix will have have been overwritten unless you also applied the change to the copy in Program Files.

Also did you just generate and view? If so, try installing and then testing.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

Hi Peter,

>> You generated an output and then applied this fix, correct?

Correct.

I didn't regenerate the output, so that script file shouldn't have been overwritten.

>> Also did you just generate and view? If so, try installing and then testing.

Sorry, I didn't make myself clear - this is in AIR browser help.

I'll have a double check now and report back.

Cheers,

Andy

Doh! Sorry about the installed / browser confusion.

The fix should be as simple as making the change in the generated help so hopefully your check will find something.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

Hello again Peter.

I think you deserve a knighthood for all your sterling efforts here.

So back on this null search thing.

I've checked again (using the sample CCC project this time).

Sadly I get the same issue.

It's difficult to demonstrate this, but anyway here goes with my before and after scenarios:

Before:

After

I hope from those screenshots you can see the resulting search + the relevant section of wfhost.js in each case.

I've found another issue with deploying my browser AIR help (it only works in the output folder). I'll post this in another thread, but my gut instinct is telling me to stay away from the browser variety of AIR help for the time being.

Cheers,

Andy

Browser based help will work on the server. Locally it will only work in the folder to which you generate unless you whitelist it.

See Item 22 at http://www.grainge.org/pages/snippets/snippets.htm#miscellaneous

I know it refers to Flash but Browser Based AIR help requires Flash and that is the issue.

Maybe my answers to your other thread will help you get your existing format working.

See www.grainge.org for RoboHelp and Authoring tips

@petergrainge

Hi Peter,

RE other thread: yes I think you have clarified a few things for me here.

I will also post in the AIR Help / CHMs and WebHelp Discussion because my situation is quite relevant to that discussion.

Many thanks again.

Cheers,

Andy

Hi Peter,

Another nuggetino of info on the zero search results issue.

I just played around with the search function in my Robohelp8 online help.

If I search for 'the', I get this:

But if I search for say 'support', I get this:

This suggests my failed 'the' search might actually be caused by too many search results being returned.

Hi there

I don't suppose searching and finding nothing for the word "the" has anything to do with the fact it's a common word and found on the stop list?

Click image below for larger (and clearer) view.

Nahh, didn't think so.

Cheers... Rick

Ah. Doh etc.

Thought I'd been clever and made a discovery then.

Thanks Rick.

Hi,

I have used this to fix a robohelp project where I was experiencing the issue. However, I recently installed some updates from Adobe, and the issue is back again!!!! Is there anyway for Adobe to to make this fix release it in an update, and stop this from happening again? This is HIGHLY frustrating.

Thank you,

Jerry

Details on version please?

The version I'm on currently is 9.0.2.271. After applying the fix the search only returns a Null result.

Looks like it didn’t get patched in RH9 – my RH10 shows a slightly different bit of script than the one displayed. You’ll have to manually patch it and make a backup of your patched version to restore after any more updates.

Thanks for checking Jeff,

I guess this might be another reason for us to update to 10. Currently, I'm having to uninstall/reinstall robohelp 9. My ability to publish to FTP has stopped working. It automatically cancels as "cancelled by user" which I'm obviously not doinng.

I'll reinstall, publish, test, and then apply the patch again.

Thanks again,

Jerry