feat(search): added basic crude search to project

bookEx/bookEx/templates/bookMng/search.html

@@ -0,0 +1,60 @@
+{% extends "base.html" %}
+{% load static %}
+
+{% block sidenav %}
+   {% for item in item_list %}
+      <li>
+        <a href="{{ item.link }}">{{ item.item }}</a>
+      </li>
+   {% endfor %}
+{% endblock sidenav %}
+
+{% block content %}
+   <h1>Search Books</h1>
+
+   <form method="get" action="{% url 'search' %}" style="margin-bottom: 20px;">
+      <input type="text" name="q" value="{{ query }}" placeholder="Search by book name..." style="padding: 6px; width: 300px;">
+      <button type="submit" style="padding: 6px 12px;">Search</button>
+   </form>
+
+   {% if searched %}
+      {% if books %}
+         <h2>Results for "{{ query }}"</h2>
+         <p>{{ books|length }} book{{ books|length|pluralize }} found</p>
+         <div style="display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 20px;">
+            {% for book in books %}
+               <div style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px; width: 220px;">
+                  <a href="{% url 'book_detail' book.id %}">
+                     <img src="{% static book.pic_path %}" alt="{{ book.name }}" style="max-width: 200px; max-height: 200px;">
+                     <h3>{{ book.name }}</h3>
+                  </a>
+                  <p>Price: ${{ book.price }}</p>
+                  <p>Posted by: {{ book.username }}</p>
+               </div>
+            {% endfor %}
+         </div>
+
+      {% elif related %}
+         <h2>No exact matches for "{{ query }}"</h2>
+         <p>Here are some related books you might like:</p>
+         <div style="display: flex; flex-wrap: wrap; gap: 20px;">
+            {% for book in related %}
+               <div style="border: 1px solid #ccc; padding: 10px; width: 220px;">
+                  <a href="{% url 'book_detail' book.id %}">
+                     <img src="{% static book.pic_path %}" alt="{{ book.name }}" style="max-width: 200px; max-height: 200px;">
+                     <h3>{{ book.name }}</h3>
+                  </a>
+                  <p>Price: ${{ book.price }}</p>
+                  <p>Posted by: {{ book.username }}</p>
+               </div>
+            {% endfor %}
+         </div>
+
+      {% else %}
+         <h2>No books found</h2>
+         <p>There are no books in the system yet. Try posting one!</p>
+      {% endif %}
+   {% else %}
+      <p>Enter a search term above to find books.</p>
+   {% endif %}
+{% endblock content %}

bookEx/bookMng/management/commands/seed_books.py

@@ -0,0 +1,157 @@
+# Management command to seed the database with test books.
+# Usage: python manage.py seed_books
+# Or:    python manage.py seed_books --count 500
+# Or:    python manage.py seed_books --clear  (wipes existing books first)
+
+import random
+import base64
+from pathlib import Path
+from decimal import Decimal
+
+from django.core.management.base import BaseCommand
+from django.conf import settings
+from django.contrib.auth.models import User
+
+from bookMng.models import Book
+
+
+# Minimal 1x1 transparent PNG (base64). Used as placeholder image for all seeded books.
+PLACEHOLDER_PNG_B64 = (
+    "iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAYAAAAfFcSJAAAADUlE"
+    "QVR42mNk+P+/HgAFhAJ/wlseKgAAAABJRU5ErkJggg=="
+)
+
+# Name generator components for varied, searchable titles
+SUBJECTS = [
+    "Python", "JavaScript", "Java", "C++", "Rust", "Go", "Ruby", "Swift",
+    "Algorithms", "Data Structures", "Machine Learning", "Deep Learning",
+    "Neural Networks", "Databases", "Web Development", "Cloud Computing",
+    "Cybersecurity", "DevOps", "Docker", "Kubernetes", "Linux",
+    "Calculus", "Linear Algebra", "Statistics", "Discrete Math",
+    "Physics", "Chemistry", "Biology", "Astronomy", "Psychology",
+    "History", "Philosophy", "Economics", "Finance", "Marketing",
+    "Cooking", "Gardening", "Photography", "Drawing", "Music Theory",
+    "Guitar", "Piano", "Chess", "Poker", "Mindfulness",
+    "Fantasy", "Science Fiction", "Mystery", "Romance", "Thriller",
+]
+
+ADJECTIVES = [
+    "Complete", "Essential", "Practical", "Advanced", "Beginner's",
+    "Modern", "Classic", "Ultimate", "Concise", "Illustrated",
+    "Pocket", "Comprehensive", "Quick", "Deep", "Hands-On",
+]
+
+AUDIENCES = [
+    "Beginners", "Students", "Professionals", "Developers", "Everyone",
+    "Kids", "Experts", "Hobbyists", "Engineers", "Researchers",
+]
+
+TEMPLATES = [
+    "{adj} {subj}",
+    "{adj} Guide to {subj}",
+    "{subj} for {aud}",
+    "The Art of {subj}",
+    "Introduction to {subj}",
+    "Mastering {subj}",
+    "Learning {subj}",
+    "{subj} Cookbook",
+    "{subj} in Action",
+    "The {subj} Handbook",
+    "Understanding {subj}",
+    "Practical {subj}",
+    "{subj} Fundamentals",
+    "The Book of {subj}",
+    "{subj}: A {adj} Approach",
+]
+
+
+def generate_book_name():
+    template = random.choice(TEMPLATES)
+    return template.format(
+        adj=random.choice(ADJECTIVES),
+        subj=random.choice(SUBJECTS),
+        aud=random.choice(AUDIENCES),
+    )
+
+
+def ensure_placeholder_image():
+    # Creates the placeholder image in the uploads directory if it doesn't exist.
+    # Returns the relative path Django should store for the picture field.
+    base_dir = Path(settings.BASE_DIR)
+    upload_dir = base_dir / "bookEx" / "static" / "uploads"
+    upload_dir.mkdir(parents=True, exist_ok=True)
+
+    placeholder_path = upload_dir / "placeholder.png"
+    if not placeholder_path.exists():
+        with open(placeholder_path, "wb") as f:
+            f.write(base64.b64decode(PLACEHOLDER_PNG_B64))
+
+    # Path stored in FileField (relative to project)
+    return "bookEx/static/uploads/placeholder.png"
+
+
+class Command(BaseCommand):
+    help = "Seed the database with fake books for testing"
+
+    def add_arguments(self, parser):
+        parser.add_argument(
+            "--count",
+            type=int,
+            default=1000,
+            help="Number of books to create (default: 1000)",
+        )
+        parser.add_argument(
+            "--clear",
+            action="store_true",
+            help="Delete all existing books before seeding",
+        )
+
+    def handle(self, *args, **options):
+        count = options["count"]
+        clear = options["clear"]
+
+        # Make sure we have a user to attach books to
+        user, created = User.objects.get_or_create(username="seeduser")
+        if created:
+            user.set_password("seedpassword123")
+            user.save()
+            self.stdout.write(self.style.SUCCESS("Created test user 'seeduser'"))
+
+        # Set up placeholder image
+        picture_path = ensure_placeholder_image()
+        self.stdout.write(f"Using placeholder image: {picture_path}")
+
+        # Optionally clear existing books
+        if clear:
+            deleted, _ = Book.objects.all().delete()
+            self.stdout.write(
+                self.style.WARNING(f"Deleted {deleted} existing book(s)")
+            )
+
+        # Bulk create books for speed
+        self.stdout.write(f"Generating {count} books...")
+        books_to_create = []
+        for i in range(count):
+            books_to_create.append(Book(
+                name=generate_book_name(),
+                web=f"https://example.com/books/{i}",
+                price=Decimal(str(round(random.uniform(5.00, 89.99), 2))),
+                picture=picture_path,
+                username=user,
+            ))
+
+            # Flush in batches of 500 to keep memory reasonable
+            if len(books_to_create) >= 500:
+                Book.objects.bulk_create(books_to_create)
+                books_to_create = []
+                self.stdout.write(f"  ...created {i + 1} so far")
+
+        if books_to_create:
+            Book.objects.bulk_create(books_to_create)
+
+        total = Book.objects.count()
+        self.stdout.write(
+            self.style.SUCCESS(
+                f"Done! Created {count} books. Total books in database: {total}"
+            )
+        )

bookEx/bookMng/urls.py

@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@ urlpatterns = [path('',views.index,name='index'),
                path('book_detail/<int:book_id>', views.book_detail, name='book_detail'),
                path('mybooks', views.mybooks, name='mybooks'),
                path('book_delete/<int:book_id>', views.book_delete, name='book_delete'),
+               path('search', views.search_books, name='search'),
                path("inbox/", views.inbox, name="inbox"),
                path("compose/", views.compose_message, name="compose_message"),
                path("thread/<int:thread_id>/", views.thread_detail, name="thread_detail"),

bookEx/bookMng/views.py

@@ -253,6 +253,46 @@ def mark_thread_read(request: HttpRequest, thread_id: int) -> HttpResponse:
     messages.success(request, "Thread marked as read.")
     return redirect("thread_detail", thread_id=thread.id)
 
+def search_books(request):
+    query = request.GET.get('q', '').strip()
+    books = []
+    related = []
+    searched = False
+
+    if query:
+        searched = True
+        # primary search: match book name (case-insensitive partial match)
+        books = list(Book.objects.filter(name__icontains=query))
+
+        # fallback: if no direct hits, try matching individual words
+        if not books:
+            words = query.split()
+            q_filter = Q()
+            for word in words:
+                q_filter |= Q(name__icontains=word)
+            if q_filter:
+                related = list(Book.objects.filter(q_filter).distinct())
+
+        # final fallback: show some recent books as suggestions
+        if not books and not related:
+            related = list(Book.objects.all().order_by('-id')[:5])
+
+    # attach pic_path for template rendering
+    for b in books:
+        b.pic_path = b.picture.url[14:]
+    for b in related:
+        b.pic_path = b.picture.url[14:]
+
+    return render(request,
+                  'bookMng/search.html',
+                  {
+                      'item_list': MainMenu.objects.all(),
+                      'books': books,
+                      'related': related,
+                      'query': query,
+                      'searched': searched,
+                  })
+
 class Register(CreateView):
     template_name = 'registration/register.html'
     form_class = UserCreationForm