Search code examples
phpmysqlmatch-against

Mysql MATCH AGAINST empty field to give all results

I have a simple search form which searchs mysql using MATCH AGAINST, which all works fine; however when you search for a stopword or leave the field blank, it returns NO results.

How do you make it that it returns ALL results instead?

Thanks

Solution

  • You're going to need to develop some search logic in your application.

    The MATCH(columns) AGAINST 'string' syntax does what it does, which is full-text search.

    If your user doesn't give you a usable string, or if the string is obviously a stopword, or if your MATCH...AGAINST search result set comes up empty, then you need to do another query that returns the most recent ten entries. But that query doesn't need to do full text matching.

    Keep in mind that stopwords are a pain in the neck. For example, there's a rock 'n roll band called "The The." You probably aren't going to find this band with full-text search.