Boolean Searching
NESTING and NOTES
Nesting ( )
Nesting allows you to build complex queries. You nest queries using parentheses, like this:
impeachment AND(clinton OR johnson)
Most of the major search engines support support nesting. Be aware that the major search engines may process nested queries differently than each other.
Notes
- Alta Vista
- Boolean searching can only be done from the advanced search page
- Excite
- Boolean commands must be in uppercase. That's why they are shown this way on these page. If you always use uppercase, you won't have problems when going between services
- Inktomi- services (Hotbot, MSN Search, Snap)
- You should set the menu option to "Boolean phrase" when using Boolean commands
- Lycos
- Some Boolean commands only work if you use the service's advanced search page (Lycos Pro)
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This file prepared and presented as an aid to help students understand the web. Send questions or comments to Royce Shook