The Boolean Search

George Boole

(Born Nov. 2, 1815, Lincoln, Lincolnshire, England
Died Dec. 8, 1864, Ballintemple, County Cork, Ireland)

George Boole
English mathematician who helped establish modern symbolic logic and whose algebra of logic, now called Boolean algebra, is basic to the design of digital computer circuits.

Boole did not study for an academic degree, but from the age of 16 he was an assistant school teacher. He maintained his interest in languages and intended to enter the Church. From 1835, however, he seems to have changed his mind for he opened his own school and began to study mathematics on his own. He was later realised that he had almost wasted five years in trying to teach himself the subject instead of having a skilled teacher.

Boole approached logic in a new way reducing it to a simple algebra, incorporating logic into mathematics. He pointed out the analogy between algebraic symbols and those that represent logical forms. It began the algebra of logic called Boolean algebra which now finds application in computer construction, switching circuits etc.

Boole's contribution


• Boole is widely regarded as the initiator of mathematical or symbolic logic.
• Boole reduced logic to a simple algebra. He also worked on differential equations, the calculus of finite differences and general methods in probability.
• Boolean algebra has wide applications in telephone switching and the design of modern computers. Boole's work has to be seen as a fundamental step in today's computer revolution.

Boolean operators:
Boolean operators are simply logical connectors used in formulating a search query. They are and, or, and notparenthesis.

In plain English, this is just a fancy way of saying that you can use words like and, or, and not in your search. For example, Dogs AND Cats NOT Bulldogs will recommend sites that refer to Dogs and Cats, but will exclude any searches that mention of Bulldogs.

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