- Use AND to join two terms
that must both be present for a document to count as
a match.
- Use OR to join two terms if
either one counts.
- Use AND NOT to join two
terms if the first must be present and the second
must NOT.
- Use NEAR to join two terms
if they both must appear and be within 10 words of
each other.
Use the "Advanced Search"
mode on Alta Vista to use Boolean searches. (Note: It is
recommended to capitalize the Boolean operators to
ensure that the search engine does not mistake it for
one of the terms you are searching for).
Examples
statistics AND health AND California
This search requires the result to use each of these
words
statistics AND health AND NOT birth
This search will find pages that include the words statistics
and health and exclude any that include the word birth
stethoscope OR Xray
This search will find pages that include either stethoscope
or Xray and will find pages that include both
words. The NEAR operator
is unique to the advanced search. This is great when you
want to find something specific, but the search words
aren't necessarily in a specific order. For instance,
say you were searching for information on Dr. James
Smith. It is possible that he is referred to on a page
as Dr. James Smith, James Smith, or perhaps even as
Smith, James or Dr. James A. Smith. The NEAR
operator helps allow for such differences. Examples
James NEAR Smith
This search will give you pages where James and Smith
are within ten words of each other.
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