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MATCH (FullTextSearch) AGAINST ('k*' IN BOOLEAN MODE)

return something

Namely anything with a word that start with k

MATCH (FullTextSearch) AGAINST ('ku*' IN BOOLEAN MODE) return less

MATCH (FullTextSearch) AGAINST ('kuc*' IN BOOLEAN MODE)

return even less

we figure that more should be returned if we just use *

MATCH (FullTextSearch) AGAINST ('*' IN BOOLEAN MODE)

returns nothing instead of what it should, namely EVERYTHING. Why?

Note: This means I have to specially code my sql command for empty string.

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A quick glance at the documentation gives the answer to this...I don't know mysql at all and I got the answer in like 20 seconds – JNK♦ Jun 21 '12 at 10:37
where is the documentation. Why do they design it that way? This means I have to specially code my sql command for empty string. – Jim Thio Jun 21 '12 at 10:38
Not sure anyone can answer the "why" question though. It's not a standard wildcard search, it's a wildcard in the context of a word – JNK♦ Jun 21 '12 at 10:39
2  
You've asked 7 questions in the last 13 hours. It may be worthwhile to consider doing a little research before coming here. – JNK♦ Jun 21 '12 at 10:40
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1 Answer

up vote 2 down vote

Per the MySQL Documentation on Boolean mode Full Text Search the aserisk wildcard is only applicable in the context of a word.

The engine is looking for a word that starts with whatever precedes the asterisk. Since there is nothing preceding the asterisk, and no words start with an empty string, you get no results.

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