Search method comparison

Refer to the table in this section for a list of available search methods. The Features, Usage, and Scope columns describe each search method's features and limitations.

Search Method Features Usage Scope
Simple search

  • A lightweight search feature

  • Usable on any JSP file

  • No set up required out of box

  • Searches performed on base tables


  • Single term search input

  • Boolean support


  • Searches the catgroup, catgrpdesc, catenty,catentdesc table (the basic properties of a category and catalog entry) and the the (descriptive or defining) attributes defined for the catalog entries such as the attributes and attribute values table.

  • Customizable with both new attributes and new tables

Advanced search

  • General search feature

  • Usable on any JSP file

  • No set up required out of box

  • Searches performed on base tables

  • Enhanced order search criteria


  • Multiple term search input

  • Boolean support

  • Most flexible option which expresses inputs and control over output


  • Searches the catgroup, catgrpdesc, catenty,catentdesc table (the basic properties of a category and catalog entry) and the the (descriptive or defining) attributes defined for the catalog entries such as the attributes and attribute values table.

  • Broadest selection of attributes and tables

  • Broad range of search controls

  • Customizable with both new attributes and new tables

Advanced Product Advisor search tool with base schema support

  • Catalog exploration tool with 3 views on products: an Exploration tool, a Comparison tool, and a Q&A dialog tool

  • Requires setup of exploration parameters

  • Base table support


  • Interactive and iterative tool for selecting search term inputs

  • Requires a category to seed start of search

  • No Boolean support


  • Searches vertical schema with predefined horizontal schema support

  • Searches are limited to a single category

Advanced Product Advisor search tool with separate schema support

  • Catalog exploration tool with 3 views on products: an Exploration tool, a Comparison tool, and a Q&A dialog tool

  • Requires setup of exploration parameters

  • Requires custom schema setup

  • Highest performance rated search method


  • Interactive and iterative tool for selecting search term inputs

  • Requires a category to seed start of search

  • No Boolean support


  • Searches vertical schema with predefined horizontal schema support

  • Searches are limited to a single category

  • Limited ability to include additional columns from the horizontal schema

WebSphere Commerce Accelerator Catalog Search Methods

  • Complementary general search feature for the Campaigns, Product Management, and Customer Service tools


  • Augments merchant tasks while using WebSphere Commerce Accelerator tools


  • Searches the catgroup, catgrpdesc, catenty,catentdesc table (the basic properties of a category and catalog entry).

Related concepts

Catalog search methods
Simple catalog search
Advanced catalog search
Product Advisor

Related tasks

Add catalog search to your site

Related reference

Catalog search performance