Introduction
In the previous article, we covered the basics of using Google effectively as a software engineer. But to truly become a master of Google, you need to go beyond the basics.
In this article, we’ll explore some advanced tips and tricks that will help you find what you need quickly and efficiently.
Advanced Search Operators
Google provides various advanced search operators that can help you refine your searches. Some useful operators include:
- intitle: to search for a specific word or phrase in the title of a page
- inurl: to search for a specific word or phrase in the URL of a page
- Wildcard Operator: The asterisk
(*)acts as a wildcard in Google searches. It can be used as a placeholder for unknown terms or to find variations of a word. For instance, searching for “machine learning *” will return results related to different aspects of machine learning.
By using these operators, you can narrow down your search results to find the information you need more quickly.
Search Within a Range
If you’re looking for information within a specific numerical range, you can use the double-dot (..) operator.
For example, searching for “JavaScript performance tips 2010..2020” will retrieve results specifically related to JavaScript performance tips within the given time range i.e 2010 to 2020.
Reverse Image Search
If you have an image and want to find similar or related images, you can use Google’s reverse image search feature ↗️.
Simply click on the camera icon in the search bar, upload the image, and Google will provide you with results related to the image.
Search by File Type
If you’re looking for specific file types, such as PDFs, PowerPoint presentations, or Excel spreadsheets, you can use the "filetype:" operator.
For example, searching for "filetype:pdf JavaScript tutorial" will retrieve PDF files specifically related to JavaScript tutorials.
Use Google Alerts
Google Alerts ↗️ is a tool that allows you to receive email notifications whenever new content is published on the web that matches your search query. This can be a great way to stay up-to-date on a particular topic or to monitor mentions of your company or product.
You can set up alerts for specific keywords or phrases, and choose how often you want to receive alerts.
Use Google Scholar
Google Scholar ↗️ is a search engine that focuses on academic literature, including articles, theses, books, and conference papers. If you’re working on a research project or need to find scholarly articles on a particular topic, Google Scholar can be a great resource.
You can search by author, title, or keywords, and even set up alerts to be notified when new articles are published.
Use Google Books
Google Books ↗️ is a search engine that allows you to search the full text of books. This can be a great way to find in-depth information on a particular topic, or to find quotes or references from specific books.
You can search by author, title, or keywords, and even preview sections of books before deciding to buy them.
Conclusion
By using these advanced tips and tricks, you can take your Google skills to the next level and become a more efficient and effective software engineer. Whether you’re searching for scholarly articles or news articles, Google has a wide range of tools that can help you find what you need.
So next time you’re stuck on a problem, remember to use these advanced techniques to find the answer quickly and efficiently.