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guava/search
Guava Search is a Laravel package for adding flexible search to Eloquent models, with a simple API for indexing and querying records. It helps you build fast, database-backed search experiences without external services.
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Frequently asked questions about Search
- What is Guava Search for Laravel?
- Guava Search is a Laravel package that adds flexible search to Eloquent models through a simple API for indexing and querying records. It is designed for fast, database-backed search experiences without relying on external services. The current release is an early alpha, so evaluate API stability carefully.
- How do I install guava/search in a Laravel app?
- Install it with Composer using composer require guava/search, then register the service provider if your Laravel version does not auto-discover it. Publish any provided configuration and migrations, run the migrations, and index the Eloquent models you want searchable. Because the package is still alpha, pin the exact version and review the README for the current install steps.
- Does guava/search support Laravel 11?
- The 1.0.0-alpha.3 release is a compatibility update that adds Laravel 11 support. The release note only says it is an update for Laravel 11, so it does not confirm whether Laravel 8, 9, or 10 remain supported or whether Laravel 11 was covered by a full test matrix. Check the package's composer.json constraints and README before assuming support for your exact Laravel and PHP versions.
- Is guava/search production ready?
- Treat it as pre-1.0 alpha software: the latest release is 1.0.0-alpha.3, published 2024-04-03, and semver's major-version protection does not yet apply. That means the public API can change between alpha releases without a major-version signal. For production, spike it in a throwaway branch and keep it behind your own thin search interface so you can replace it later.
- What search backend does Guava Search use?
- The package is described as database-backed search for Eloquent models that avoids external services. However, the available release data does not identify the backend implementation, such as database full-text indexes, a driver abstraction, or a separate index store. Confirm index size limits, query latency, and reindex write amplification by reading the README and testing with your data volume.
- How does indexing work in Guava Search?
- Guava Search provides a simple API for indexing and querying Eloquent records. The release notes do not clarify whether indexing requires schema changes, a separate index table, or an external store. Review the published migrations and configuration, then plan a reindex strategy before adopting it.
- Can Guava Search query across Eloquent relationships?
- The release data does not say whether Guava Search can express searches across Eloquent relationships or the filters, sorting, and relevance behavior your product needs. Because the query API's expressiveness is unresolved, prototype your real relationship queries instead of assuming parity with your current search. If it fits, wrap those calls behind your own interface to limit coupling.
- How should I test guava/search in a Laravel app?
- Since this is pre-1.0 alpha software, focus tests on your integration boundary: migrations, index creation, and the queries your app actually runs. Add CI coverage with representative data and test upgrades between alpha versions explicitly. Also check whether the package ships its own test suite, since the release notes do not describe test-matrix coverage.
- What are alternatives to guava/search?
- Common Laravel alternatives include Laravel Scout with a driver such as Meilisearch, Algolia, or TNTSearch, as well as native database full-text search. Guava Search positions itself as database-backed search without an external service, which may reduce operational overhead. Because it is alpha, compare API stability, scaling limits, and maintenance activity before choosing it over a more established option.
- Who maintains GuavaCZ/Search and is it actively developed?
- It is maintained under the GuavaCZ GitHub organization, and the release data shows a single org without evidence of a broad contributor base, release cadence, or downstream adoption. The alpha.1 to alpha.3 upgrade history is not detailed beyond the Laravel 11 compatibility update. Ask the maintainer about the GA timeline, security-reporting process, and bus factor before committing.
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