5. A computer-implemented method of searching for at least one data file matching a user-defined query definition, the method comprising: storing a first definition for a first autolist that returns a first set of search results by applying a persisted first query definition that has a first scope that defines a first physical file location and a first set of one or more textual search criteria; storing a second definition for a second autolist that returns a second set of search results by applying a persisted second query definition that has a second scope that defines a second physical file location and incorporates a third autolist by reference, thereby defining the second scope as a combination of items returned by the third autolist and items that are stored in the second physical file location; storing a third definition for the third autolist that returns a third set of search results by applying a third persisted query definition including a third scope and a third set of textual search criteria, wherein the third scope incorporates the first and the second autolists by reference receiving a request to execute the second autolist; detecting an attempted cycle between the second autolist and the third autolist; automatically removing the cycle at the processing level without need for user input; displaying the third set of search results, wherein the third set of search results include all non-duplicate items within the first set of search results that match the third set of textual search criteria.
5. A computer-implemented method of searching for at least one data file matching a user-defined query definition, the method comprising: storing a first definition for a first autolist that returns a first set of search results by applying a persisted first query definition that has a first scope that defines a first physical file location and a first set of one or more textual search criteria; storing a second definition for a second autolist that returns a second set of search results by applying a persisted second query definition that has a second scope that defines a second physical file location and incorporates a third autolist by reference, thereby defining the second scope as a combination of items returned by the third autolist and items that are stored in the second physical file location; storing a third definition for the third autolist that returns a third set of search results by applying a third persisted query definition including a third scope and a third set of textual search criteria, wherein the third scope incorporates the first and the second autolists by reference receiving a request to execute the second autolist; detecting an attempted cycle between the second autolist and the third autolist; automatically removing the cycle at the processing level without need for user input; displaying the third set of search results, wherein the third set of search results include all non-duplicate items within the first set of search results that match the third set of textual search criteria. 7. The method of claim 5 , wherein said removing the cycle at the processing level without need for user input occurs by trimming the second scope to remove the incorporation of the third query definition by reference.