Implementing a keyword search.

[MrMoocow]

I've browsed all over google, and thorugh the tek-tip forums, and I have a feeling I'm perhaps using the wrong terminology orj ust looking at this the wrong way but. How would I store contents of items in a database, and then be able to do a keyword search?

I suppose I could just have a large field that would represent the contents of the item I'm holding, and then use the like operater with wildcards, but I have a feeling thats ill-suited and slow?

Could someone perhaps point me in the right direction, or shed some light on this matter?

 

[Krickles]

You will most likely need to narrow your question for the best opinions in tackling your problem. For example:[ul][li]Are you building an application?[/li]
[li]Are you building help files for an existing app?[/li]
[li]Are the entries going to be free-form or can they be grouped into a category or categories?[/li]
[li]What is the nature of the data being searched? Text, addresses, phone numbers?[/li][/ul]
If you want a generic search of a single uncategorized column, you can simply feed the search with wildcards. If you want a faster (narrower) search, you will need to build a structure which will support parameters (dates tied to rows containing the data, categories such as product type or division tied to the rows containing the searchable info). Please provide more details and you are sure to get a better answer from some of the heavy hitters who frequent this forum.

Krickles | 1.6180

 

[SQLSister]

You might also look at full text search. That could solve your problem.

Questions about posting. See faq183-874

 

[MrMoocow]

Well,
Idealing the search would be over a listing of files on removable media. So the option to search by dates, and other attributes would be very handy.

As to the nature of the app, Its going to be built from the ground up, and I have a good concenpt and feel for everything else, save for the SQL side.

I will look into the Full Text Search later tonight as time permits.