Mysql 4 Search hack

MySQL 4 Search hack for Vbulletin 2.x.x - version 1.2 beta
Author: PineappleClock (pineappleclock@clockcrew.cc) aim: Janitor61
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Overview
The MySQL 4 search hack modifies the search functionality in Vbulletin to take advantage of the new SQL functions available in MySQL 4.

Synopsis
This hack allows MySQL to index the posts and threads in your BBS instead of requiring vbulletin to do it.
This hack, when installed, will change the BBS in the following ways:

• Vbulletin will not require the 'word' or 'searchindex' tables anymore - saving lots of space - instead it will use the 'post' table as an index.
• Vbulletin will not catalog, reference and index every word of every post upon insertion into the database - saving tons of processing.
• No need to regenerate the search index ever.
• The 'post' table will increase in size by about 35%
• Searches will be considerably faster, and posting will be somewhat faster.
• Search strings will be able to contain phrases, like "lets share a soda", which can include small words that would of been blocked in vbulletin 2.x searches.
• Advanced searches, containing included words, optional words, excluded words and exact phrases.

File Listing
install.txt -- the installation howto
simplesearch.txt -- a block of code that replaces a block of code in search.php
searchtemplate.txt -- a vbulletin template used for drawing the search form.

Requirements
MySQL 4.0.1 or newer - required
vbulletin 2.x.x - required (i've only tested it on 2.3.0 though)

How to check your MySQL version:
execute the following query:

SELECT @@global.version

Notes
The installation instructions assumes that you have access to database management software, like phpMyAdmin. If you can't edit your database directly, I can make a php script that will modify your database if there's enough demand.

The Vbulletin team aren't going to put in support for MySQL 4 until version 3.1 - so this hack should be obsolete by then.
If you'd like to see the modified search engine, go here:

http://www.clockcrew.cc/bbs/search.php

I was originally going to distribute the whole modified search.php file, but after reading the rules, im only distributing the modified part. Please let me know if you spot any bugs, etc. I've tested this, but there still are probably bugs i need to work out.

update [Apr 17]: added instructions on uninstalling

good luck!

[traekwon]

Today at 07:12 PM LoveShack said this in Post #10
What would happen in a vb2 to vb3 upgrade once this hack is installed?

well, the hack would have to be uninstalled. I don't know anything about the vb3 database scheme, since i dont have the sourcecode for it - the only stuff i know about it is what i've read on vbulletin.com, but im positive that they make use of the 'word' and 'searchindex' tables, so if you're planning on upgrading, you would have to uninstall the hack and then rebuild your search index, and then your DB should be reverted back to a pre-hack state.

I erroneously said in the instructions that you could drop the 'word' and 'searchindex' tables, but if you are going to upgrade it's better to just empty the tables, retaining their structure so they can later be rebuilt, or leave them be if you don't care about database disk usage.

I'd have to see vb3 source code before I could verify that this hack would work with it - right now i'd say it's too risky to install on vb3, i'll post an update if i do get to anaylize that source.

Uninstallation would just be the reverse of the instructions, and you would delete search.php and rename search_old.php (your backup) to search.php. You'd then rebuild the search index to poopulate the 'word' and the 'searchindex' tables and revert the searchintro template to its original state. The extra fulltext indexes on 'post' could be removed for some extra diskspace, but they aren't going to hurt anything if you left them, i believe.

I've updated the installation instructions with this information.

[Paul]

If I'd only had the nerve to upgrade mysql. I'll consider adding this hack. It sounds like it might also lead to an answer on the best way to implement guest username searching.

[nuno]

It seems that both 'word' and 'searchindex' tables keep on going, they keep increasing, what's going on here?

[mute]

edit: we've got it running over here and it rocks!

[nuno]

Are both tables empty?

[mute]

Today at 10:19 PM nuno said this in Post #15
Are both tables empty?

Yup, I emptied both tables (searchindex & word) and they stayed empty. My buddy had hacked the search.php improperly, and that was the problem we ran into.

[nuno]

Okay, it's all fixed now.

[alexi]

I just installed this and it seems to be working very well!
I don't have phpmyadmin on my database server because I don't even have apache running on it. I was able to make the database changes through Mysql Control Center. It works pretty well.

[AlexanderT]

04-17-03 at 05:32 AM traekwon said this in Post #1 http://www.clockcrew.cc/bbs/search.php

Bandwidth Limit Exceeded
The server is temporarily unable to service your request due to the site owner reaching his/her bandwidth limit. Please try again later.

--- Looks like a lot of people who like your script visited your site ...

[alexi]

If anyone wants to see it in action and traekwon's site is busy feel free to check it out at www.disboards.com.
It is working wonderfully and I am already getting ton's of positive feedback from my users.