Search Preferences

Applies to Collaborator 14.6, last modified on November 06, 2024

This section allows adjusting full-text search performance on Oracle databases. To modify these settings you need to have administrator privileges.

To access the settings open the following URL in your browser http(s)://<your_collabserverURL:port>/ui#admin: and click the Search tab.

The Search tab is available on Oracle databases only.

About Search on Oracle Databases

Historically, all databases supported by Collaborator use regular expression matching for full-text search in reviews. Each time a search term is specified, Collaborator makes a regular expression query and returns matching results. This approach provides suitable performance for small and moderate databases. Yet on huge Oracle databases, especially when multiple custom fields are used, regular expression query could take significant time to complete.

As an alternative to regular expression query, you can install the CTX_DDL PL/SQL package on your DB server and use dedicated Oracle text component for text search. It generates and keeps its own indices and thus performs much faster than regular expression search. However it needs additional efforts to keep Oracle text indices synchronized with the rest of database.

Context Indices Settings

These settings affect what type of indices your Oracle database should use for full-text search and how often they should be synchronized.

Use Oracle Text search instead of regular search Specifies whether to use Oracle Text component, or regular expression query to perform full-text search form Web Client.
Indices sync type Specifies when to perform synchronization of Oracle text indices. Possible values are:
  • Manual - Synchronize indices on manual command only. You may call the CTX_DDL.SYNC_INDEX command or use the Perform indices synchronization control below.
  • On commit - Synchronize the index immediately after database commit.
    Note: The commit does not return until the sync is complete. Therefore, on commit sync may impede performance on huge databases.
  • Periodic - Automatically synchronize the index at a regular interval specified by the Sync interval setting.
Sync interval

Specifies the interval for periodic synchronization of Oracle text indices. Possible values range from 5 minutes to 24 hours, including custom value using calendaring syntax. For example, FREQ=HOURLY; INTERVAL=50; will sync every 50 hours, FREQ=DAILY; BYDAY=FRI; will sync every friday, while FREQ=MONTHLY; BYMONTHDAY=-1; will sync on the last day of every month.

Appropriate sync interval allows finding a balance between accuracy of search results and DB server load. Say 24 hours interval will have minimal impact on DB server, but will not find text added in the last 24 hours. Whereas, 5 minute interval provides minimal delay, but generates significant load.

To apply the settings press the Apply changes button.

Context Indices Maintenance

This section allows to start indices maintenance operations manually.

Perform indices synchronization

Schedules indices synchronization. To start the operation press Apply changes. During the synchronization a rotating indicator will be displayed next to the control.
Perform indices optimization

Schedules indices optimization. To start the operation press Apply changes. During the optimization a rotating indicator will be displayed next to the control.
Optimization mode

Specifies how to optimize Oracle text indices. Possible values are:

  • Fast - Compacts fragmented rows, but keeps information pertaining to deleted rows of the base table.
  • Full - Optimizes the entire index or a portion of the index (depending on maximum time allowed). Compacts rows and deletes information pertaining to deleted rows of the base table. Optimizing in full mode runs even when there are no deleted rows.
  • Rebuild - Rebuilds the index table to produce more compact token info rows. Deletes information pertaining to deleted rows of the base table.
Optimization maximum time Specifies the maximum duration of optimization procedure in Full mode. Possible values range from 5 minutes to unlimited.

To start synchronization or optimization, schedule them using the controls above, specify desired parameters and then press the Apply changes button.

See Also

Oracle

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