MyElecParts - Electronic component search and inventory

[majki]

It is EF6 and not EF Core, but anyway, you are right there is SQLite provider, but as I learned here https://entityframework-extensions.net/sqlite-provider, it does not support creating database from code:

Unlike MS SQL Server, Sqlite doesn't support Migration so we can't create a new database from code, we have to manually create it.

I use code first approach, so it is a no go for SQLite provider for me.

It seems the PostgreeSQL provider does not support creating database from code either:
https://www.npgsql.org/ef6/index.html

When the Entity Framework 6 provider creates a database, it issues a simple CREATE DATABASE command. In PostgreSQL, this implicitly uses template1 as the template - anything existing in template1 will be copied to your new database.

So it is a no go with code first approach.

Anyway, it would be better to focus on what this program provides you just for free instead of listing what it is not. It just works fine with the local DB, and thats it.

[larrybud]

You could always store the data in XML or JSON, or maybe give an option to the user. I would think a personal database wouldn't be that large that a text based db would matter. How many parts do people doing this as a hobby have, a few thousand, max?

BTW, no good deed goes unpunished. You'll get a million enhancement suggestions. lol

[bostonman]

BTW, no good deed goes unpunished. You'll get a million enhancement suggestions. lol

Good way of putting it.

I saw the responses from others and hope the designer wouldn't get frustrated and give up providing this to us.

The program is more elaborate than I could have imagined, so I think it's great. My concerns with any software, especially unique software, is whether 3rd party software it depends on will always be available and compatible.

Besides that suggestion and some feedback based on experiences I've had trying to keep a database, I'd keep it as is.

I hope the designer doesn't get bombarded with suggestions to avoid frustration.

[majki]

I would rather not use xml/json for serious database, but I will provide an export to json in a future release. If someone is afraid that the technology used will disappear soon, he/she can at least export the data.

If someone is not happy with this technology, no one will force them to use it. There are many similar programs. Choose according to their own preferences and if none of them suits their needs, just create one, as I did 

My concerns with any software, especially unique software, is whether 3rd party software it depends on will always be available and compatible.

I think a bit early to think about it, but you will have always the option to run it in a virtual machine with the old OS and dependencies.

[igendel]

For what it's worth, this looks just right for my needs as a hobbyist/freelancer. I just downloaded it and added a few parts for testing; I'll add more in the coming days and report anything interesting. Thanks!

[bostonman]

When do you expect to get the Excel import feature done?

[igendel]

For what it's worth, this looks just right for my needs as a hobbyist/freelancer. I just downloaded it and added a few parts for testing; I'll add more in the coming days and report anything interesting. Thanks!

Did I speak too soon and jinxed it? 
I added a manufacturer, added two ICs by them, and then tried to add a logo. At first I copied the logo from the website to the clipboard, but got an error when pasting to the logo box (something about illegal characters). Then I saved the logo to my PC and uploaded it from there; it appeared in the box, but won't save - with the mysterious error message like "cannot save". I tried to delete the manufacturer - got an error message too, but the name was actually changed to "unknown" in the list. Now this row can't be deleted (trashcan logo grayed out), and when I try to edit it, there's only the name and description boxes, no logo boxes, and whatever I write and click save it pops a warning that it can't be saved - although these little changes do appear when I close and re-open the list 

Edit: Closing and restarting the program seems to have fixed this for now. I'll look again later.

[majki]

I cannot promise exact date, as not yet started.

[majki]

If you delete a manufacturer your parts with that manufacturer will be updated to the "Unknown" manufacturer. "Unknown" is a default record, you cannot delete it, but you are able to rename it e.g. to N/A if you wish. There is no logo for the Unknown manufacturer.

Please attach the downloaded logo and I will check what was the problem with it. Next time you can also press F12 to reveal the log window and copy log records to the clipboard and paste it into a text file to save more information about the problem.


I usually use drag and drop to add images from a browser.
Here is an old screen recording about it: https://www.hobbielektronika.hu/forum/getfile.php?id=404387
(form 0:55)

[igendel]

Please attach the downloaded logo and I will check what was the problem with it. Next time you can also press F12 to reveal the log window and copy log records to the clipboard and paste it into a text file to save more information about the problem.

Thanks. Now (out of spite I guess  ) the logo update - selecting the same file from the PC - worked without any issue...
I suspect that it had something to do with me trying to perform some actions before the records/UI were updated.

[majki]

MyElecParts v1.10 released
https://myelecparts.hu/

The main focus was the improvement of the part meta search feature. Support for 16 new part categories were added (ADC, DAC, Digital potentiometer, linear and switched voltage regulators, voltage reference, SMPS controller, MOSFET driver, optocoulper, digital interface IC, RTC, Sensor, various memory ICs). There was also made significant progress in other areas of the meta search. In addition, the following things have been added:

• 6 new part categories added
• 17 new packages added (Opto, SOJ)
• 22 new manufacturers added
• Bug fixes
• Small improvements

[bostonman]

I appreciate your updates, but remain a bit confused over the dashboard.

Under parts, it lists: part categories 74, part types 1, attachments 3, and total parts 10. When I click it, I see BC182.

Part of this is obvious. you have 74 different part categories (resistor, diode, transistor, etc...), 3 attachments exist (datasheets I assume), 10 parts in the database, but what is the meaning of 'part type'?

When doing a part search in 'part meta search', I can't do a wild card. From what I understand, you've already added ten parts to the database, but, I can't seem to locate them easily enough in the 'parts' section so I can delete them. I attempted to do a wildcard so I can see which ones they are and manually delete them individually, but seems a wild card search didn't work.

Maybe it would help if you took a snapshot of the dashboard and commented everything as a tutorial for myself and others. The database itself is easy enough to learn, but maybe a snap shot of the dashboard explaining the meaning of each item would help.

As for the wild card search, my guess is the ten parts you have are scattered throughout different categories making it harder for me to delete them. I'd like to start with an empty database since then ten parts already in there aren't in my inventory, but also, I think being able to list every part could be beneficial.

As an example: if my inventory is 100 parts, but the database shows 101, I can do a wild card, see every part, and look for something that I may have entered incorrectly. Maybe I accidentally began entering a diode and saved it by accident, so a wild card list would show blank sections for that diode allowing it to stand out and delete it.

I'll admit though, I haven't tinkered with this much as I'm waiting for the Excel export feature. Although I could manually enter every part individually, at the moment I don't have time so it will be a project in the future, or once the import feature comes out.

Thanks again for all the work you're putting into this.

[majki]

The Dashboard shows simple statistics, I though it is easy to understand. Maybe the used labels are not the best. Sorry I am not a native English speaker. After first start the Dashboards shows:

- 74 different part categories (resistor, diode, transistor, etc...)
- 1 part type (it is the number of different parts, Here it is the single part type BC182)
- 3 attachments (can be any PDF or image file attached to a part type, for the BC182 there are 2 PDFs and one image attached)
- 10 Total parts (Maybe the name is confusing but it is the total number of the parts (all pieces from all part types), here 10 pcs. of the BC182)

Part meta search in not search in your own database but it search a part in online sources, then you can select one match from the result list and create an inventory part from that result. It is very useful part of the software to enter your parts manually as it help to fill data fields and attach datasheets.

To show all your parts go to the Parts page, click on Root and you will see all of them. You can then filter the list
- by clicking on a part category
- right click on the Name column and enter a search text (no wild card supported, sorry)
- Right top filter button (Detailed filter)

I added only one part, the BC182 and not 10, but the stock level is 10 from it. You can delete this single part and will get an empty part list.

[iMo]

Nice app.. I've been planning to organize my junkbox content for a long time already..
Let me ask you following:
1. how to backup the Data easily (win10/7)?
2. do the backuped Data will be compatible with your future enhancements/versions (such the "import of the backup" will work always fine, free of charge)?

[bostonman]

- 74 different part categories (resistor, diode, transistor, etc...)
- 1 part type (it is the number of different parts, Here it is the single part type BC182)
- 3 attachments (can be any PDF or image file attached to a part type, for the BC182 there are 2 PDFs and one image attached)
- 10 Total parts (Maybe the name is confusing but it is the total number of the parts (all pieces from all part types), here 10 pcs. of the BC182)

Now that you explained it, I think it's less confusing. It may help to take a snapshot of the dashboard and place text next to each section explaining their meanings and it can be in its own directory named: MyElecParts User Manual

You can make it part of the installation; or place it in the 'help' section within the program.

[majki]

1. how to backup the Data easily (win10/7)?

Everything is stored under the Data directory:

Data/Database <- database files for the MS SQL LocalDB
Data/Manufacturer <- manufacturer logos
Data/Package <- package image and drawings
Data/Part <- Attachments for the parts

You just need to save the Data directory for the full backup.

2. do the backuped Data will be compatible with your future enhancements/versions (such the "import of the backup" will work always fine, free of charge)?

Yes, I will do migration at version update, so any old version of the backed date can be used with the newer versions.

[bostonman]

Hello,

I've tinkered a bit more with this program and still think it's great, but still only tinkering as my main goal is waiting for the Excel import feature rather than entering all the parts I've already typed in Excel.

Anyway, I have some feedback.

First I've noticed the Windows taskbar doesn't open (I have mine set to auto hide) when the program has the window maximized. Not a major problem, but obviously can't switch windows easily enough.

You have 'Name' for what I assume is the part number. This is slightly confusing for a beginner as "Name" implies the component name such as: resistor, capacitor, etc... Maybe change this to 'Part Number'.

Unless I'm doing something wrong, it looks like wildcard isn't supported. Not sure if this could be useful, but if I want to find a "2222", it would be nice to do a wildcard search for *2222*. In some cases, I may have a RNC resistor part that is one letter off such as tape and reel, so while the part number is the same, the one digit different would prevent me from finding the part. Having a wild card would allow me to search all RNC (RNC*).

The text seems a bit light. When I added a part, it was a struggle trying to see the parameters; and even some of the headers are faint. Making these darker, or a different color to differentiate between things may help.

Finally, is it easy to implement a recycle bin for deleted parts? I created a part and deleted it, but realized, if I accidentally deleted the wrong one, I'd have to try remember which one it was. Having either a recycle bin to retrieve deleted parts from and/or a history of deleted parts (maybe a history of both added and deleted) would be useful.

[majki]

Thanks for the feedback.

1. Windows taskbar doesn't open
It is a common problem for WPF applications with own window header, I found lot of complaint about it, but no simple solution. Anyway I will fix it in the next release, I implemented a complex workaround. It works on W7, W10, multi monitor setup and different DPI settings .... We will see.

2.  'Name'
I renamed it to Part type, as I already use Part type on the Meta search and Marking code search pages. Now all will use the same.

3. Wildcard
You cannot use wildcard, but if you type 2222 the search will result any part type contains 2222, it is like the *2222*. See the attachment.

4. The text seems a bit light
I will address this maybe later with adding color schemes.

5. Delete part
There is a confirmation dialog with the part type highlighted in in.
I will add the recycle bin and the history to the wish list. We will see.

[bostonman]

You don't feel 'Part Number' would be a better choice rather than 'Part Type'?

'Part Type' I feel implies 'resistor', 'capacitor', etc... whereas 'Part Number' would be '2N2222A', etc...

Coming up with a color scheme may be nice, but if it's too much trouble, I would just change the dimmer text so it's brighter. At first I thought my laptop screen needed to be re-angled due to glares, however, I learned reading the text wasn't easy.

As for the recycle bin and/or history, you're correct, a warning about deleting the part is shown, but I feel if someone does it too quickly, they may accidentally delete something they didn't mean to.

As an example: maybe someone wants to delete a 2N2222, and, without paying attention, delete a 2N2222A. When they look at the transistors, they still see a 2N2222 and wonder what they deleted since the 2N2222 is still showing in the inventory.

With a history of added/deleted parts, one can look and see what they deleted and either restore it from the bin, or, if a bin is too difficult to create, see the log of which part(s) got deleted and manually reenter it.

[majki]

"Part number" - it is strange if I translate it to my native language, but I see you generaly use it, I will update it everywhere.
"dimmer text" - I will change a colors a bit to make the light grays to darker a bit.

[bostonman]

I haven't heard any updates and wondering if you've made any improvements or how long before you issue a new version?

One suggestion I had for making sure users never lose their data should they be unable to install it on future operating systems is being able to export the database to Excel.

Since you plan to make an import feature, thought maybe export would be useful too.

Maybe have it export with all the major categories such as MOSFETs and stuff all fall under transistors, or just group everything and have the user separate them however they desire.

[majki]

Hello,

The next version is comming soon. I am currently working on the export feature.
It will create xlsx in a format which can be imported in a later version.

The export is almost done, you can find an example xlsx of an empty database (except the example BC182) attached.

• One tab per part category
• Similar catagories are groupped by tab colors, e.g. Tabs of transistors (BJT, MOSFET, etc.) have the same tab color
• Click on the column header will give you some hints about the column
• Click on the Part number column header will give you also info about the part category
• Color style added
• Freeze pane added
• Auto filter enabled

During the export you will be able to select which part categories to export and which colums to include into the export file.
The attachment files are not yet handled, only the name of the attachment files added to the table.

[majki]

MyElecParts v1.20 released
https://myelecparts.hu/

   • Parts export into XLSX and JSON format
   • Meta search: Add support for Microcontrollers and passive components
   • Meta search: Fix Datasheet4U search
   • Bugfix for auto hide taskbar
   • 3 new part categories added (Microcontrollers)
   • Extend part category parameters
   • 3 new packages added (Quartz)
   • 9 new manufacturers added
   • Bug fixes

[majki]

MyElecParts v1.21 released
https://myelecparts.hu/

This is only a bugfix release due to the changed format of meta search sites:

   • Meta search: Fix Alltransistor datasheet download
   • Meta search: Fix Datasheet4U datasheet parsing

[majki]

MyElecParts v1.22 released
https://myelecparts.hu/

This is only a bugfix release due to update of the source site:

   • Meta search: Fix Datasheet4U datasheet source