Searching made easy with Apache Solr in Drupal-based Websites/Portals
The current article attempts to provide a perspective on how to make efficient and faster searches of content in Drupal based websites/ ls. First, let’s understand what Drupal is
What is Drupal?
Drupal is content management software. It's used to make many of the websites and applications you use every day. Drupal has great standard features, like easy content authoring, reliable performance, and excellent security. But what sets it apart is its flexibility; modularity is one of its core principles.Its tools help you build the versatile, structured content that dynamic web experiences need.It's also a great choice for creating integrated digital frameworks. You can extend it with any one, or many, of thousands of add-ons.
Modules expand Drupal's functionality. Themes let you customize your content's presentation. Distributions are packaged Drupal bundles you can use as starter-kits. Mix and match these components to enhance Drupal's core abilities. Or, integrate Drupal with external services and other applications in your infrastructure. No other content management software is this powerful and scalable.
Highlights
1. The Drupal project is open source software.
2.Anyone can download,use, work on, and share it with others.
3. It’s built on principles like collaboration, globalism, and innovation.
4. It’s distributed under the terms of the GNU General Public License (GPL).
5.There are no licensing fees, ever. Drupal will always be free.
Drupal Search: An Internal Site Search System
The search module lets users search for specific content on your site. You can search both for users and for particular words. When you are on the "content" tab of Search, you will be able to search for words appearing in the default rendering of node content on your site, which would include the default rendering of any CCK fields, Location fields, Taxonomy, etc., as well as comments. When you are on the "users" tab of Search, you will be able to search the user names of registered users on your site, and if you have sufficient permissions, also their email addresses.
How can Apache Solr be used to make searches more efficient?
This module integrates Drupal with the Apache Solr search platform. Solr search can be used as a replacement for core content search and boasts both extra features and better performance. If you’re looking for Apache Solr integration, this is possibly the best option available.
Features?
Faceted Search is supported if you use the facet API module. Facets will be available for you ranging from content author to taxonomy to arbitrary fields.
Relevant Content Blocks (“More like this” blocks) can be added to any node page. The block will show you relevant nodes and/or nodes similar to the one your site-visitor is viewing. The analysis happens real time in Solr Search Pages
Multiple Search Pages with optionally customized search results, layout and others
Search Environments Add multiple Solr Search cores and query them so you can optimally connect to the one of your choice. Ideal to have multiple facet configurations.
Range Queries These query types, in combination with Facet Api Slider, delivers a very rich faceting experience to the end user
Full Entity Support Supports Custom Entity indexing through hooks. Examples such as Apache
Solr Commerce, Apache Solr User and Apache Solr Term can give you a headstart in developing
your own indexing code for your entity. This is seen from the following diagram, which compares Drupal Core Search vs. Solr Based search on its execution time.
We see that the average execution time is shorter using a Solr based search compared to a Drupal Core Search. So next time you are developing a website, you should consider using Apache Solr,to make your searches more faster and efficient.
