How to efficiently apply the 'NOT' operator in a Positional Context

SYMPTOMS

When executing a query using a NOT operator in a Positional Context you get a error stating that the Query contains a positional 'Not' sub-query of invalid type. The 'NOT' operator is a search operator which excludes search terms from a query and narrows a search.

CAUSE

Only Word, Boolean OR, and Boolean AND queries are allowed with the positional NOT operator.

The (example) query "apple not(orange pear)" with a sequence wrapped in a positional NOT operator will generate an error

RESOLUTION

In a positional context, the NOT operator can be used in these examples:

• combination with a sequence query ("apple NOT(orange) pear")
• the subquery of a positional TO query ("apple TO orange {pear NOT yellow}")
• combination with a Boolean OR query ("apple NOT(orange OR pear)")
• combination with a Boolean AND query ("apple NOT(orange AND pear)"

Queries other than a word, Boolean OR, and Boolean AND cannot be wrapped in a positional NOT operator

APPLIES TO

6.4; 6.4 SP1; 6.5