MATCH AGAINST or LIKE: Which Query Optimizes My Full-Text Search?

Choosing the Optimal Query for Full-Text Search

When searching a database for rows containing specific keywords dispersed across multiple columns, two primary options emerge: MATCH AGAINST and LIKE. Each approach has its advantages and drawbacks, as explained below.

MATCH AGAINST

Utilizing a full-text index on appropriate columns, MATCH AGAINST boasts superior performance on tables using the MyISAM storage engine. This allows for efficient matching against multiple keywords across the specified columns.

LIKE

While more versatile than MATCH AGAINST, LIKE searches require evaluation of each row individually through concatenation and comparison. This approach incurs significant performance penalties, especially for large tables. Additionally, LIKE may struggle with partial keyword matches, such as "xxfoo" not matching in the case of MATCH AGAINST.

Preferred Choice

For MyISAM tables, MATCH AGAINST is the preferred choice for full-text searches involving multiple keywords across multiple columns.

For InnoDB tables, MySQL 5.6 and later offer support for Match Against, making it a viable option.

Consider Using a Third-Party Search Engine

If performance is a critical factor and the underlying database system does not provide satisfactory solutions, consider integrating a third-party search engine specifically designed for full-text indexing and search.

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