Cascading Data Sets in API?

[#1]

I've created a small WinForm (.NET) to allow users to update some keywords across related documents. Two of those keywords share a relationship that could be represented with a cascading data set.

After reviewing the SDK, I was not able to locate any information or objects that seem related to cascading data sets (v15).

I'd like to have a drop down box with the parent data set and when an item is selected, be able to retrieve a filtered list of child data set items to present in a secondary drop down. Is this possible? 

[Tyler_Sorber · Accepted solution]

Hi Stephen

I would suggest looking into the GetDropDownValue method off of the KeywordType.

Please let us know if there are any questions after looking into the SDK for this method.

[Greg_Pigott]

I've set up a cascading data set using external data sets with the IExternalKeywordDataSetScript interface.

The args parameter contains the keyword type that is being requested so I set up a method for each drop down that are included in the set, test the keyword type and make a call to the appropriate method.

For example, Assuming you want to do a vehicle year/make/model cascading data set where once you select a year, you will only see makes for that year, select a make and you will only see models for that make, you can do the following:

if (args.KeywordType == <yearKeywordType>) GetYears(args)

if (args.KeywordType == <makeKeywordType>) GetMakes(args)

if (args.KeywordType == <modelKeywordType>) GetModels(args)

Each of the three worker methods do:

1) Finds related data set value
   a) Find the related keyword record with var kwr = args.SearchParameters.RelatedKeywordRecords.Find(<dependentKeywordType>))
   b) Find the keyword with kwr.Keywords.Find(<dependentKeywordType>);
   c) Get the keyword value

2) Uses this value to determine the requested data set values

3) Adds the resulting values as keyword to args.Results collection 

Note: the top level drop down does not look up dependent data sets because, well, it is the top level and doesn't depend on other data sets.