Sometimes referred to as seek, a search is a function or process of finding letters, words, files, web pages, or other data. Many operating systems, software programs, and websites contain a search or find feature to locate data. For example, the search box for Computer Hope is at the top and bottom of each of our pages. When on the Internet, you use a search engine to search through web pages on the Internet.

What is the difference between search and find?

Generally speaking, when trying to find text in the current document or web page, it is referred to as find. However, if you want to look for text in multiple documents or pages, it is known as a search.

To only search (find) text in the web page or document you are viewing, the Ctrl+F keyboard shortcut (Command+F on Apple computers) can open the Find box. You can then type the text you want to find in the Find box.

  • What is the difference between search and find?
  • Search tricks.
  • What is the search symbol?
  • Related information.

Search tricks

Search or find options contain additional options that make finding information or files easier. We have listed these options below.

  • When searching for a file in many operating systems, use the wildcards. For example, searching for test.* returns results for any file beginning with “test” in the file name. In our example, the results could include “tested,” “tests,” and “testing.”
  • Use search grouping. For example, any text in quotes, like “search example” would find anything containing the words “search example” next to each other but not “search” or “example” by themselves. Another example of grouping uses a ‘+’ between the text, like search+example.
  • In most online searches, you can exclude text from your search by adding the ‘-’ sign before a word. For example, computer help -paid searches for anything containing the words “computer help,” but only show results for pages that do not contain the word “paid.”

What is the search symbol?

Web pages and software programs use the symbol of a magnifying glass to represent the search feature. For example, on some web pages, you may find a text box next to a magnifying glass icon to perform a search.

Please note that these options may or may not be available for all programs.

Don’t miss our article, tricks every Google user should know.

  • What are the most common symbols used by computers?

Find, Find Fast, Incremental search, Internet terms, Keyword, Linear search, Retrieve, Search and replace, Search bar, Search engine, Seek time, Sort, Windows search box

The magnifying glass icon may also be used to represent the find feature.

  • How to find information on the Internet.
  • How to create a search for your web page or blog.
  • Internet and search engine tips.
  • Tips and secrets for promoting your page on search engines.
  • Internet search engines.