search functionality

Hi all,

Instead of using the data drop-down list (which I think is cumbersome when it comes to thousands of records in the database), I would like to create a search button base on certain search criteria.  I've read the " Adobe LiveCycle Designer: Creating Dynamic PDF and HTML5 Forms for Desktop and Mobile Applications, Second Editiby J. P. Terry " but couldn't find any example on how to create a search/retrieve button.  Wonder if anyone has done this before that could share it with me?  Really appreciate for all the help.