Open Source Libraries for Information Retrieval

Information retrieval tools, popularly referred to as indexers or search engines, support searches of a local file system, intranet, database, or desktop as well as the Web. They also let you add IR functionality to any application that needs a search method as part of a more complex procedure -for example, periodic surveys about your customers. When you develop your own applications, you can design a search GUI specially tailored for your employees, customers, or type of business. There are two broad tool classes. Desktop search tools usually browse local files. Yahoo Desktop Search is an example product. However, desktop tools sometimes extend to the Web (for example, Google Desktop Search) or to network drives (MSN Toolbar). Enterprise search tools cover a broader search area - an intranet, IP subnets, file systems, or databases. Google Search Appliance is an example commercial product, and you can integrate it with Google Desktop Search to provide a unified search interface.