Compare Flows

Last Updated 12.19.2002

General Description

The compare flow is a used where similarities/differences of objects and their attributes are compared. The flow varies depending on the number of steps (1 or 2) in the process or task. This guideline contains the flow for the Compare Page Templates

Guideline Attributes

Spec Version # - 3.1
Spec Contributors - Raymond Wong
UI Models - all models
Example Products - all products
Related Guidelines - Messaging (including Error) Page Template, Step by Step Page Flows, 2 Step Process Templates, Object List Templates , Compare Page Templates

Interaction and Usage Specifications

A comparison flow general consists of four types of templates:

Object List Template
- Launch page for the Compare flow
Error (or Messaging) Template
- This template informs the user if selected number of objects for comparison is not within specified limit
Select Attributes Template
- Object attributes for comparison can be selected on this page
View Comparisons Template
- Selected objects and their attribute data are displayed

A compare flow may be a one or two-step process. In a one-step process, the attributes for the objects to be compared are fixed. In a two-step process, the object attributes for comparison may be specified by the user. An optional "Select Attributes" template is used to specify the object attributes to be compared.
A "View Comparisons" template is used to display the compared objects' attributes. This template may display the information by using a table, a hide/show or adjacent headers, or text areas.

Compare Page Flow

Visual Specifications

See template guidelines for details about the individual page templates. From that guideline, see the individual components for detailed visual specifications.

Open Issues

none

Closed Issues

none