Element Query Guide

This guide explains how to format the element query selector for use in AVIV ScoutRoute Long Form Quest Definitions.

For a list of all guides on the TCAT Wiki, refer to the Guides List.

The quest_query attribute of an AVIV ScoutRoute long form quest definition is constructed in a similar way to an OverPass API query, with some modifications.

For example, to get all ways, simply enter the query: ways

Cheatsheet for element filter syntax

Expression	[matches] returns `true` if element...
`shop`	has a tag with key `shop`
`!shop`	doesn't have a tag with key `shop`
`shop = car`	has a tag with key `shop` whose value is `car`
`shop != car`	doesn't have a tag with key `shop` whose value is `car`
`~shop\\|craft`	has a tag whose key matches the regex `shop\\|craft`
`!~shop\\|craft`	doesn't have a tag whose key matches the regex `shop\\|craft`
`shop ~ car\\|boat`	has a tag whose key is `shop` and whose value matches the regex `car\\|boat`
`shop !~ car\\|boat`	doesn't have a tag whose key is `shop` and value matches the regex `car\\|boat`
`~shop\\|craft ~ car\\|boat`	has a tag whose key matches `shop\\|craft` and value matches `car\\|boat` (both regexes)
`~shop\\|craft !~ car\\|boat`	doesn't have a tag whose key matches `shop\\|craft` and value matches `car\\|boat` (both regexes)
`foo < 3.3`	has a tag with key `foo` whose value is smaller than 2.5 `<`,`<=`,`>=`,`>` work likewise
`foo < 3.3ft`	same as above but value is smaller than 3.3 feet (~1 meter) This works for other units as well (mph, st, lbs, yds...)
`foo < 3'4"`	same as above but value is smaller than 3 feet, 4 inches (~1 meter)
`foo < 2012-10-01`	same as above but value is a date older than Oct 1st 2012
`foo < today -1.5 years`	same as above but value is a date older than 1.5 years In place of `years`, `months`, `weeks` or `days` also work
`shop newer today -99 days`	has a tag with key `shop` which has been modified in the last 99 days. Absolute dates work as well.
`shop older today -1 months`	has a tag with key `shop` which hasn't been changed for more than a month. Absolute dates work as well.
`shop and name`	has both a tag with key `shop` and a tag with key `name`
`shop or craft`	has either a tag with key `shop` or a tag with key `craft`
`shop and (ref or name)`	has a tag with key `shop` and either a tag with key `ref` or a tag with key `name`
`shop and !(ref or name)`	has a tag with key `shop` but not either a tag with key `ref` or a tag with key `name`

Note that regexes have to match the whole string, i.e. ~shop\|craft does not match shop_type.

Equivalent expressions

Expression	Equivalent Expression
`shop and shop = boat`	`shop = boat`
`!shop or shop != boat`	`shop != boat`
`shop = car or shop = boat`	`shop ~ car\\|boat`
`craft or shop and name`	`craft or (shop and name)` (`and` has higher precedence)
`!(amenity and craft)`	`!amenity or !craft`
`!(amenity or craft)`	`!amenity and !craft`

The queries can be combined with parenthesis and can also be used for matching with multiple tag filters.

Example queries:

Get all sidewalks: ways with (footway=sidewalk)
Get all sidewalks without a surface tag: ways with (footway=sidewalk and !surface)
Get all kerbs without a tactile_paving tag: nodes with (barrier=kerb and !tactile_paving)