Can you recommend a PHP library that functions as a search engine, similar to Sphinx but without requiring installation on the server and compatible with various hosting services?

Consider using Zend_Search_Lucene as an alternative, but be aware of its feature of keeping index files open during write operations for better performance.

keep in mind any potential compatibility issues with your hosting provider when selecting a search engine library. In the case of Zend_Search_Lucene, it may work well with some hosting providers but not with others due to limits on the number of simultaneously open files. Be sure to thoroughly test and evaluate any library before implementing it into your project.

If the previous options do not meet your needs, you can consider using my search engine. Although it was written three years ago, it is still a viable option, offering stemming and MySQL integration.

When exploring different search engine libraries, it's important to evaluate them thoroughly and consider all available options before making a decision. In this case, my search engine could be worth considering, especially if you require features such as stemming and MySQL integration. It's also worth checking out similar libraries, such as phpmorphy, to see which one best fits your needs.

If you cannot use PostgreSQL or install Sphinx, consider utilizing the Google Search API for site searches.

One library that comes to mind is Elasticsearch-PHP. It's a PHP client for Elasticsearch, which is a popular search and analytics engine. The great thing about Elasticsearch-PHP is that it's a standalone library, so you don't need to install anything on your server. You can simply include it in your PHP project and start using it. Plus, it's highly customizable and scalable, making it a great option for large datasets.

Another option is Algolia's PHP API client. Algolia is a hosted search service that provides a robust search engine for your application. Their PHP client is easy to use and integrates seamlessly with their hosted service. The best part is that you don't need to worry about installing or maintaining any search infrastructure on your server. Algolia takes care of all that for you.

If you're looking for something a bit more lightweight, you might want to consider Zend_Search_Lucene. It's a PHP port of the popular Apache Lucene search engine. While it's not as powerful as Elasticsearch or Algolia, it's still a great option for smaller to medium-sized datasets. And, as an added bonus, it's part of the Zend Framework, so you know it's well-maintained and widely adopted.

Lastly, there's also the option of using a cloud-based search service like Swiftype or Searchify. These services provide a search engine as a service, so you don't need to worry about installing or maintaining anything on your server. They both have PHP libraries that make it easy to integrate their services into your application.

When developing a PHP search engine, consider the following advice:

Use a Framework: Utilize frameworks like Laravel or Symfony for better structure and security.

Database Optimization: Optimize queries and indexes in your database for faster search results.

Full-Text Search: Implement full-text search capabilities with MySQL or use specialized engines like Elasticsearch for improved search performance and relevance.

Caching: Use caching mechanisms like Memcached or Redis to store frequent queries and results, reducing load time.

Pagination: Implement pagination to manage large result sets and enhance user experience.

User Interface: Design a clean, intuitive interface for easy navigation and result filtering.

Analytics: Integrate analytics to monitor search trends and user behavior, allowing for continuous improvement.

Security: Ensure proper input sanitization to prevent SQL injection attacks and other vulnerabilities.

Mobile Responsiveness: Make your search engine mobile-friendly to accommodate users on various devices.

Regular Updates: Keep your PHP version and libraries up to date for performance and security improvements.

These practices will help create an efficient and effective PHP search engine.