Strange problem with MySQL full text query

Question

This probably has something to do with my understanding of full text search or perhaps a known issue. My Java code creates search term for full text search on MySQL like this -

+word*

This works fine if the value in the DB column contains more text than the word itself. However, if the value is exact - no result are returned. I expected it to return results when value is an exact match. Let me give an example - Assume that DB has column name with value "Manish", now if I search with this - +Manis*

It does return the result correctly, but if I try this - +Manish* It doesn't return any result, though exact match exists in DB column - Name. How can I obtain the desired behaviour in both these cases? Removing + sign works, but it returns far too many results when there are two or more words.

Any help, pointers would be highly appreciated! I am using MySQL 5.0

TIA, - Manish

Answer 1

Try removing the +
+Man searches for Man but not Manish
Man* searches for Man and Manish.