The search capabilities of php.net require improvement.

Most of the work search performs is done offsite via api.bing.net although many features are internal too.

• There are many different types of search (function list, online documentation, entire mirror, etc.)
• The url search (php.net/foo) performs alternative actions (see errors.inc) including optional use of the sqlite database
• Several file_exists() checks are performed, but using errors.inc and/or sqlite decreases the chances of this
• Typically a Bing search is performed for the php.net domain index

Some files of interest (todo: explain each files purpose):

• http://svn.php.net/viewvc/web/php/trunk/include/manual-lookup.inc
• http://svn.php.net/viewvc/web/php/trunk/include/errors.inc
• http://svn.php.net/viewvc/web/php/trunk/error.php
• http://svn.php.net/viewvc/web/php/trunk/search.php
• http://svn.php.net/viewvc/web/php/trunk/my.php
• http://svn.php.net/viewvc/web/php/trunk/ws.php
• http://svn.php.net/viewvc/web/php/trunk/results.php
• http://svn.php.net/viewvc/systems/trunk/gen-phpweb-sqlite-db.php

A few possible changes:

• Add a mashup search result option (default?) that both suggests functions and does a mirror search
• Integrate errors.inc magic into the search
• Track when we choose the page for them (ex: search for strlen goes to its functions page) and offer a “Did you mean foo() or bar()?” snippet
• Move from ext/sqlite to pdo_sqlite. See: phpnetsearchsqlite (done -Philip)
• Add search snippets for commonly searched terms (proof-of-concept (Ex) implemented -Philip)
• Take into account language when doing a search (do not show fr/ results when language en/ is chosen) (done -Rasmus)
• Consider alternative my.php options including preferred default search method
• Research usage of Yahoo Search BOSS (irrelevant now that we switched to Bing)

• On May 5, 2009 the default search type changed from 'function list' to 'online documentation' but after feedback was changed back within 3 days
• This topic should also be discussed while the site is redesigned (20xx)
• About 102/109 of mirrors have pdo_sqlite but not ext/sqlite (we only use ext/sqlite currently)