The simplest form of a Patterweb query is a search for a single word. Remember to use the appropriate character code sequences where required. The input area accommodates 240 characters. With graphical browsers, the input window scrolls to the left if more characters are entered than can be displayed at one time. It is possible to search for more than one word at a time.
Wildcard searches can be considerably slower than simple word searches.
Patterweb allows searches to be constrained according to proximity criteria. The advanced search allows the user to modify this value. It is often desirable to filter search results in ways that are impossible using a single search pattern, for instance, by having the pattern of a primary query match or not match the results of a secondary query. Patterweb 's advanced search facility supports three-level search queries. This allows for the construction of complex queries that combine three search patterns with two operators.