Where is the custom field search function?

[MrSpandex]

Hello all,

I have custom search fields on my site set up as searchable, but the results are not as expected. In which file can I find the function that does the searching for custom fields? If it is a large function, please send some more specific information.

On the topic, I do have a secondary question: How does the system search? None of the results for custom search fields seem accurate at all. I'm sure I will be enlightened when I can look at the code.

Also, as a note to developers: When you use a function outside of one file, include a comment explaining what file that you used. Editing these massively linked files is very confusing...

[Lhotch]

When you create an extra field (in admin) and tie it to a specific category and make it searchable it will only appear on the front end when you specify the category via the dropdown on the search page for the defined/linked extra fields to appear.

For example if I have 2 categories, one called houses and one called cars. Then I have two extra fields defined, year built is defined and linked to only the houses category and model year is defined and linked to the car category. Both are made searchable.

On the user front end when I use the search feature I will be initially shown a field to enter my search criteria and a dropdown list showing me the currently defined categories. If I select cars from the category dropdown the defined/linked extra fields set as searchable will appear, in the case of this example, model year.

[MrSpandex]

Sorry if my post was confusing. I am refering to the actual PHP function that does the searching. I have the fields showing up and everything, but the search is unreliable at best. I also want to implement a special searching routine for one option, and I would prefer to edit the code at the source rather than fixing it down the line.

[Lhotch]

Seaching is handled in searchresults.php by using LIKE in the mysql query.