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Basic Search Concepts and Simple Queries

Search queries, whether simple or complex, compare search keywords given by the user with indexed keywords stored in the news database. Search queries are entered into news windows from the keyboard; the indexed keywords are determined automatically by the news database system using the rules described in the preceding section.

All search commands begin with a forward-slash (/) character. The most simple form of search command requires the user to enter the slash character followed by a single search keyword. (Command syntax for specifying multiple search keywords and complex queries will be discussed in a later section.) Two examples of simple search query commands are: /Dow and /Clinton. (Note that uppercase and lowercase letters are treated the same; thus, the search query /HOG would yield the same results as /hog.)

Topics:

Matching Modes

Searching for Compound Words

Rules for Valid Search Keywords