2018-04-16: Data model refinement and search index

DINA development news describe what has been done within the project during the last 2-4 weeks, and what is going to be done next.

Happened during last sprint

New features added on the registration form:

• Adding additional identifiers, e.g. from different data management systems.
• Better storage location management, using locality tree management tool mentioned in previous newsletter

Search feature now uses Elasticsearch for searching and getting the data. This allows fast and powerful search features to be built. First version of an advanced search tool is being built.

Data model was being developed further and documented. Documentation is needed for understanding the data by both developers and users, and to work with the international DINA-partners.

Next we are going to

Develop new features according to the designs during the previous sprint, including

• Type specimens
• Specimen events, e.g. specimen origin and death
• Record history events (e.g. when data was entered in previous systems or catalogue cards)
• Basic tools for using taxonomy (not editing yet)
• Acquisitions

With these in place, the registration form and underlying database will have nearly all the fields needed for mammal catalogue card registration. After this, we will focus on agent handling (users, collectors etc...) and advanced search.

We also plan to import real data into the system soon for testing purposes.