npm package: @push.rocks/smartfuzzy
Description: A library for fuzzy matching strings against word dictionaries or arrays, with support for object and article searching.
Author: Lossless GmbH
Latest version: 2.0.0

# SmartFuzzy Improvement Plan - Fuse.js Optimization Focus

## Current Status
- ESM imports/exports fixed with .js extensions
- Basic fuzzy matching functionality works
- Testing infrastructure fixed with @git.zone/tsrun dependency
- Test syntax standardized using SmartExpect syntax
- Tests improved with proper assertions and error handling
- Input validation added to all public methods
- Code documented with comprehensive TypeScript JSDoc comments
- Method names standardized for better API consistency
- Backward compatibility maintained through deprecated method aliases

## Improvement Plan - Fuse.js Optimization Focus

### 1. Fully Leverage Fuse.js Capabilities

#### 1.1 Enhance Configurability
- [ ] Create a comprehensive `FuzzyOptions` interface exposing Fuse.js options
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Expose all relevant Fuse.js options (threshold, distance, location, etc.)
    - Group options logically (matching control, performance control, output control)
    - Add proper TypeScript types and documentation for each option
    - Create sensible defaults for different use cases (loose matching, exact matching, etc.)
    - Add option validation with clear error messages
    - Implement runtime option updates via setOptions() method

#### 1.2 Improve Weighted Field Support
- [ ] Enhance ObjectSorter to support field weights like ArticleSearch
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Add ability to specify weight per field in ObjectSorter
    - Maintain backward compatibility with current simple array of fields
    - Create examples of different weighting strategies
    - Add tests demonstrating the effect of different field weights
    - Include weight settings in all relevant documentation

#### 1.3 Add Extended Search Capabilities
- [ ] Implement Fuse.js extended search syntax support
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Add support for Fuse.js extended search syntax (AND, OR, exact matching)
    - Create helper methods to build complex search queries
    - Add examples of extended search usage in documentation
    - Create tests for complex search patterns
    - Implement query validation for extended search syntax

### 2. Performance Optimization

#### 2.1 Optimize Index Creation
- [ ] Implement proper Fuse.js index management
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Create persistent indices instead of rebuilding for each search
    - Add incremental index updates when items are added/removed
    - Implement proper index serialization and deserialization
    - Add option to lazily rebuild indices
    - Create tests measuring index creation performance

#### 2.2 Implement Basic Caching
- [ ] Add results caching for repeated queries
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Implement simple Map-based cache for query results
    - Add cache invalidation on dictionary/object changes
    - Create configurable cache size limits
    - Add cache hit/miss tracking for debugging
    - Implement optional cache persistence

#### 2.3 Add Async Processing for Large Datasets
- [ ] Implement non-blocking search operations for large datasets
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Create async versions of search methods that don't block main thread
    - Implement chunked processing for large dictionaries
    - Add progress tracking for long operations
    - Create cancellable search operations
    - Add proper promise handling and error propagation
    - Measure performance difference between sync and async methods

### 3. API Improvements

#### 3.1 Standardize Method Naming
- [x] Standardize all method names for consistency
  - **Implementation completed**:
    - Renamed `getClosestMatchForString` to `findClosestMatch`
    - Renamed `getChangeScoreForString` to `calculateScores`
    - Created backward compatibility aliases with @deprecated tags
    - Updated all tests with new method names
    - ✓ Tests pass and build succeeds

#### 3.2 Add Chainable API
- [ ] Create a more fluent API for complex searches
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Implement chainable methods for setting options
    - Add result transformation methods (map, filter, sort)
    - Create fluent search building interface
    - Implement method chaining for filters and transformations
    - Add proper TypeScript type inference for chainable methods
    - Create examples demonstrating the chainable API

#### 3.3 Enhance Return Types
- [ ] Improve result objects with more useful information
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Standardize return types across all search methods
    - Add richer match information (character positions, context)
    - Implement highlighting helpers for match visualization
    - Add metadata to search results (time taken, options used)
    - Create proper TypeScript interfaces for all result types

### 4. Documentation and Examples

#### 4.1 Create Comprehensive Documentation
- [ ] Improve documentation with Fuse.js-specific information
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Generate TypeDoc documentation from JSDoc comments
    - Create specific sections for Fuse.js integration details
    - Add visual diagrams showing how Fuse.js is utilized
    - Document all configuration options with examples
    - Add performance guidelines based on Fuse.js recommendations

#### 4.2 Create Usage Examples
- [ ] Add specialized examples for common search patterns
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Create examples for typical search scenarios (autocomplete, filtering, etc.)
    - Add examples of weighted searching for different use cases
    - Demonstrate extended search syntax with examples
    - Create comparative examples showing different configuration effects
    - Add performance optimization examples

### 5. Testing Enhancements

#### 5.1 Add Fuse.js-specific Tests
- [ ] Create tests focused on Fuse.js features
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Add tests for all Fuse.js configuration options
    - Create performance comparison tests for different settings
    - Implement tests for extended search syntax
    - Add tests for very large datasets
    - Create index persistence and rebuilding tests

#### 5.2 Add Edge Case Tests
- [ ] Improve test coverage for Fuse.js edge cases
  - **Implementation approach**:
    - Test with unusual strings (very long, special characters, etc.)
    - Add tests for multilingual content
    - Create tests for zero-match and all-match cases
    - Implement tests for threshold boundary conditions
    - Add tests for unusual scoring scenarios

## Implementation Priority

### Phase 1: Core Improvements (1-2 weeks)
- [x] API Improvements (3.1 Standardize Method Naming) ✓ COMPLETED
- [ ] Configurability Enhancements (1.1 Enhance Configurability)
- [ ] Documentation Updates (4.1 Create Comprehensive Documentation)

### Phase 2: Performance Optimizations (1-2 weeks)
- [ ] Optimize Index Creation (2.1)
- [ ] Implement Basic Caching (2.2)
- [ ] Add Fuse.js-specific Tests (5.1)

### Phase 3: Advanced Features (2-3 weeks)
- [ ] Improve Weighted Field Support (1.2)
- [ ] Add Extended Search Capabilities (1.3)
- [ ] Add Chainable API (3.2)
- [ ] Enhance Return Types (3.3)
- [ ] Add Async Processing for Large Datasets (2.3)
- [ ] Create Usage Examples (4.2)
- [ ] Add Edge Case Tests (5.2)

## Expected Outcomes
- Significantly improved performance for large datasets
- More flexible and powerful search capabilities
- Better developer experience with improved API design
- Clearer understanding of the library through better documentation
- Higher test coverage, particularly for edge cases and performance scenarios