FAST Query Language (FQL) (FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint)

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Applies to: FAST Search Server 2010

FAST Query Language (FQL) is a query language intended for creating queries programmatically. It is a structured language that is not intended to be exposed to end-users. FQL can be used only for solutions developed for FAST Search Server 2010 for SharePoint.

User Query Options
The user query is a sequence of query terms typed in a single query box by a user. In most cases the user types one or more words. However, the user query may also include special characters such as the plus ("+") and minus ("-") signs. The user query is usually treated as a string that is passed transparently by the query client. You can pass the user query on the query client interface in two main ways:

  • Pass the user query as a Keyword Query Syntax query string, which enables advanced users to express a more specific query by using a set of basic query controls that are exposed by the Keyword Query Syntax. By default, a standard Search Center Web application uses the keyword query language

  • Pass the user query as an FQL Simple Query Language string within an FQL query expression. You encapsulate the end-user query string in FQL, and can add any other property filter or other query constraints in the FQL query expression.

Advanced ranking and sorting options
Using FQL enables you to do the following:

  • Sort by rank: Enables you to impact rank calculation in the query string.

  • Sort by managed property: Enables you to sort the query result based on the value of one or more managed properties.

  • Sort by formula: Enables you to sort the query result by a formula specified in a query result.

For more information, see Ranking and sorting