Boolean searching

*Fraoch* · 04-12-2005, 11:39 AM

OK, so I've always wanted to know but I was afraid to ask:

How do you perform boolean searching here at ABX?

Say you're looking for the phrase "chocolate lizard"

Would it be:

chocolateANDlizard

or

chocolate AND lizard

Note the spaces.

Also note that this is probably the first time the phrase "chocolate lizard" has been used here at ABX.

**k0NG0** · 04-12-2005, 12:52 PM

As far as I know, it's with spaces for boolean searches. At least that's the only way that works for me seeing as how

blue AND green

works but not

blueANDgreen

for example. Also, to search for exact phrases, use double quotes...

*Bofinn* · 04-12-2005, 01:17 PM

Strings should be quoted with single quotes if they contain no variables or control characters, otherwise use double quotes.

**k0NG0** · 04-12-2005, 01:41 PM

As far as I know, it's double quotes only. Single quotes won't work. I've done some testing and this seems to be the case.

For example, search for "intel motherboard" and 'intel motherboard' and you get two completely different results. Only the first actually returns the intended phrase.

*Bofinn* · 04-12-2005, 02:05 PM

oops, I was thinking double quotes was like this:

""intel motherboard""

**k0NG0** · 04-12-2005, 02:09 PM

Ah, no. At least not in my book

. For a while there I thought you meant the PHP string rules, where "..." will resolve any inline variables and such whereas '...' won't. Hehe.

04-12-2005, 11:39 AM	#1
Fraoch Resident ABX Wizard Join Date: May 2003 Location: London, Ontario Posts: 8,814	Boolean searching OK, so I've always wanted to know but I was afraid to ask: How do you perform boolean searching here at ABX? Say you're looking for the phrase "chocolate lizard" Would it be: chocolateANDlizard or chocolate AND lizard Note the spaces. Also note that this is probably the first time the phrase "chocolate lizard" has been used here at ABX.
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04-12-2005, 12:52 PM	#2
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,638	As far as I know, it's with spaces for boolean searches. At least that's the only way that works for me seeing as how blue AND green works but not blueANDgreen for example. Also, to search for exact phrases, use double quotes... __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
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04-12-2005, 01:17 PM	#3
Bofinn I'm gettin' dizzy! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 11,035	Strings should be quoted with single quotes if they contain no variables or control characters, otherwise use double quotes. __________________ ---------- JimBo ----------- When in doubt, smack it!
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04-12-2005, 01:41 PM	#4
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,638	As far as I know, it's double quotes only. Single quotes won't work. I've done some testing and this seems to be the case. For example, search for "intel motherboard" and 'intel motherboard' and you get two completely different results. Only the first actually returns the intended phrase. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

04-12-2005, 02:05 PM	#5
Bofinn I'm gettin' dizzy! Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 11,035	oops, I was thinking double quotes was like this: ""intel motherboard"" __________________ ---------- JimBo ----------- When in doubt, smack it!
(Offline)

04-12-2005, 02:09 PM	#6
k0NG0 Remembering TQ Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Sweden Posts: 13,638	Ah, no. At least not in my book . For a while there I thought you meant the PHP string rules, where "..." will resolve any inline variables and such whereas '...' won't. Hehe. __________________ Use Firefox - "the one that blocks all the schmutz" Feeling multicore elation? Remember this correlation: Amdahl's Law.
(Offline)

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