Why isn't search query encoded in URL?

Question

This makes it impossible AFAICT to forward someone a code search URL.  This is pretty basic stuff and surprises me that it is missing.  Or am I missing something?

Answer 1

Hi Keith. It should be. Try these scenarios and let me know if they help. Also, if there is a specific scenario you're doing that isn't working, post it back and I'll take a look:

Masthead search:
1. Go to MSDN home: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/default.aspx
2. Search for 'asp.net' (no quotes); the search URL is: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/search/en-us/?query=asp.net
3. Under the search box in the Refine by source: section you should see a link for 'Library Documentation and Articles (x)'
-Clicking the link will rerun your search limited to the Library
-Clicking the 'x' will rerun the search excluding the Library

Forums search:
1. Go to MSDN Forums: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/categories
2. In the 'Search Forums' search box search for 'system.xml' (no quotes); don't use the masthead search box. The search URL is: http://social.msdn.microsoft.com/Search/en-US/?Refinement=112&query=system.xml&rq=&rn=
-This search is scoped to only Forums
3. In the 'Current Refinements' you will see 'Forums (x)' and 'Remove all'
-Clicking either of these will rerun your search with our default scope which will include MSDN and TechNet

Hope that helps. Let me know if you're having further problems.

Anand..

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Group Manager| Developer Division| Microsoft Corp.| http://blogs.msdn.com/sandcastle/ http://blogs.msdn.com/innovation/

Answer 2

Sorry this is for search on http://msdn.krugle.com.  If I enter "asp.net" as the search term the resulting URL is http://msdn.krugle.com/#1.  Oh wait a tick, I see now that there is a cleverly hidden "Create Link" button on this page that does provide a useful URL:  http://msdn.krugle.com/kse/entfiles?query=asp.net.  In that case, nevermind.  :-)

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Keith