 |
» |
|
|
|
| Using the simplified query syntax offers the same search capabilities as traditional boolean logic, however, the simplified syntax is much easier to use and learn. The table below shows the simplified operators and their corresponding boolean operators: |
|
| Search operator |
Boolean equivalent |
default operator:
you need not use any
special symbols |
OR |
| + |
AND |
| - |
NOT |
phrase operator:(" ")
enclose the phrase with
double quotation marks |
ADJ |
|
|
|
Boolean queries use the logical operators AND, OR, NOT and ADJ (adjacent). Suppose you wanted to find information on plain paper color laser printers but you do not want to see Press Release information. This query can be specified in boolean logic as:
(laser ADJ printer) AND (color OR (plain ADJ paper)) AND NOT (Press Release)
Using the simplified operator syntax, the complex query above may be typed into the search box as:
+"laser printer" color "plain paper" -"Press Release"
This query specifies that:
- All returned documents must contain the phrase "laser printer".
- Documents containing one or more of the terms
"laser printer", color, or "plain paper" will be appear at the top of the search results (the more terms matched, the higher the ranking).
- None of the documents returned will contain "Press Release".
|
|
Printable version
