code: def query(self):
          
          queryWidget = self.queryWidget()
          
          # check to see if there is an active container for this widget
          container = queryWidget.containerFor(self)
          if container:
              return container.query()
          
          elif QueryCompound.typecheck(self._query):
              return self._query
          
          # generate a new query from the editor
          column = self.uiColumnDDL.currentSchemaPath()
          plugin = self.currentPlugin()
          editor = self.editor()
          op     = self.uiOperatorDDL.currentText()
          
          if column and plugin:
              query = Query(column)
              plugin.setupQuery(query, op, editor)
              return query
          else:
              return Query()
docs: Returns the query instance for this widget.
          
          :return     <orb.Query> || <orb.QueryCompound>