ADVANCED SEARCH
While AltaVista's main search is used for general searches, Advanced Search is used to conduct very specific searches. Much of what you need to search for can probably be found quickly and with excellent results using the Main Search. However, if you need to find information within a certain range of dates or would like to perform Boolean searches, AltaVista's Advanced Search is the most powerful tool on the Web.
The main difference between the two is the ability of Advanced Search to use Boolean expressions. Boolean expressions are the words OR, AND, AND NOT, and NEAR used to create relationships among the keywords in your search query. Using these expressions allows you to tailor your search to find exactly what you are looking for.
Advanced
Search also allows you to sort your results, specify particular dates in your query and
more. These functions, along with Boolean expressions, are explained in greater detail
below.
The AltaVista search box contains the following elements:
- Text entry box (Boolean query:)
- Similar to the field in the Main Search box, this is where you type the words related to
the information you are looking for. However, this box allows you to perform advanced
search requests using Boolean expressions as explained
below.
- Search Tips and Examples
- Under the text entry box are tips and examples on how to use AltaVista search more
effectively. Tips and examples are changed regularly so be sure to notice it each time you
visit to enhance your search experience.
- Sort by
- Allows you to specify how you would like the search results displayed. Results are
sorted according to the word or words entered in this box. You can view unsorted results
by using the Boolean query section alone with nothing in the 'Sort by:' search box.
- Language drop-down menu
- Using the language drop-down menu, you can restrict your search to information written
only in the language you specify.
- Date menu and entry fields
- The date menu allows you to restrict your search to information published during a
certain period of time. Use the From: and To: fields to specify the time period you wish
to use in your search.
Note: Dates must be entered using the international format of DAY/MONTH/YEAR.
- Search button
- Click the Search button when you are ready to begin your search.
- Tabs
- Above the search box are three labeled tabs. The first tab is for the Main Search which was explained in greater detail earlier.
The second is for the Advanced Search which is what we are describing in this section. The
third tab is for Images, Audio & Video. If you are
looking for multimedia instead of, or in addition to textual information, you can search
this area of the Web also.
- Links
- The search box provides links to this help page, to the Family Filter setup page and to the page where you can specify your AltaVista language settings.
Boolean expressions are words like OR, AND, AND NOT, and NEAR used to create relationships among the keywords in your search query. Parentheses ( ) can also be used in the Boolean query box to group expressions similar to the way you would group mathematical functions. Below is a list of expressions with their corresponding symbol (you may use either) and function.
| Expression | Symbol | Action |
|---|---|---|
| AND | & | Finds documents containing all of the specified words or phrases. peanut AND butter finds documents with both the word peanut and the word butter. |
| OR | | | Finds documents containing at least one of the specified words or phrases. Peanut OR butter finds documents containing either peanut or butter. The found documents could contain both items, but not necessarily. |
| AND NOT | ! | Excludes documents containing the specified word or phrase. Peanut AND NOT butter finds documents with peanut but not containing butter. NOT must be used with another operator, like AND. AltaVista does not accept 'peanut NOT butter'; instead, specify peanut AND NOT butter.. |
| NEAR | ~ | Finds documents containing both specified words or phrases within 10 words of each other. peanut NEAR butter would find documents with peanut butter, but probably not any other kind of butter. |
| () | Use parentheses to group complex Boolean phrases. For example, (peanut AND butter) AND (jelly or jam) finds documents with the words 'peanut butter and jelly' or 'peanut butter and jam' or both. |
Here is a sample of Advanced Search that uses all of the advanced features:
- Type (ballroom OR salsa) AND dance in the Boolean query box. This Boolean query
will find all documents containing the phrases 'ballroom dance' and 'salsa dance.'
- Type tango waltz in the 'Sort by:' box. This step sorts the documents so that tango
and waltz appear at the top of your results.
- Type 01/JAN/99 in the From: box and 30/JUN/99 in the To: box. This step
limits the results to documents that have been updated in the first half of 1999.
Note: If you do not include a month or year in the From: or To: fields, the search will use the current month and year.
- Click the Search button to begin your search.