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Boolean Search Operator: OR

How does the OR operator work?

Written by Cherry Escorpizo

The OR operator offers flexible inclusion, and typically broadens your search results.

Many people incorrectly think the Boolean OR operator is an either/or operator, when in fact it is not.

The OR operator is technically interpreted as “at least one is required, more than one or all can be returned.”. 

🔥Example: Java AND Oracle AND SQL AND AJAX AND (apache OR weblogic OR websphere)

The returned results must mention at least one of the following: apache, weblogic, websphere. 

The best ways to use OR statements are:

  1. To think of all of the alternate ways a particular skill or technology can be expressed, e.g., (HRBP or HR Business Partner or Human Resources Business Parter)

  2. To search for a list of desired skills where you would be pleased if a candidate had experience with at least one, e.g., (apache OR linux OR mysql).

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