Double quotes vs no quotes

Question

Hello,

If I put double quotes around a keyword I see results. However, if I do not use quotes, no results are returned. keyword I am using is one single word (it makes sense to use quotes for two words but in my case it's a single word)

Why is search engine behaving this way? We would prefer to not use double quotes.

For example, the keyword I am using is "parameter" with no double quotes.

Thanks!

Answer 1

Do you experience this behavior when searching using other words?

Answer 2

No, not at all.

Answer 3

The word "parameter" has special meaning to Search.  Its a part of the FAST query language syntax.  When you use it in quotes, then the Query engine processes it as a search item.  But when you use it without quotes, its a keyword, like Author, File and so on.  Remember that FAST in SharePoint 2013 has been incorporated into the Search subsystem - it's no longer a separate product as it was in SharePoint 2010.  These references can help provide detail on Search query syntax and limitations:

• Keyword Query Language (KQL) syntax reference (SharePoint 2013)
• FAST Query Language (FQL) syntax reference (SharePoint 2013)

Answer 4

Example keyword ("parameter") I gave was used just for problem illustration purposes. I am not using "special" or reserved keywords for searching.

Answer 5

So, you are experiencing this problem then when performing searches using other words?

Answer 6

it does not happen with other words.

Answer 7

Diffident

My understanding of the issue as you have described it above is that if you perform a search on the word "parameter" with quotes, you get results containing the word "parameter"; and if you perform a search on the word "parameter" without quotes, you do not get any results. Additionally, you are not experiencing this issue when performing a search on any other word - it only happens when you perform a search on the word "parameter".  Is this correct?

Answer 8

Yes, correct. Please note that the keyword I am using is not a special or reserved keyword and hence I expect the engine to return results.

I am flabbergasted with this behavior. Am I doing something wrong? Is there a way for me to troubleshoot this issue. Any third-party tools or logs I can use? 

Thanks for any pointers!

Answer 9

Please note that in my problem description above, I am specifically referring to the word parameter.  And its my understanding that you when you perform a search on the word parameter that you experience this problem. If you are referring to a different word, please respond with the specific word you are using that causes this problem. 

Answer 10

keyword is specific to our application and am not sure if that's something you can reproduce. What options do I have?