Integrating a Robust Search Engine with Ecto Using ParadeDB

The article dives into the existing methodologies for text searching, primarily within PostgreSQL, and evaluates their effectiveness for various use cases. It highlights simple string matching options, Postgres Full Text Search, and dedicated search engines like Elasticsearch and Solr, along with their synchronization challenges with databases. The author then introduces ParadeDB, an extension that incorporates the Tantivy search library into PostgreSQL, and explains its potential for enhanced searching capabilities within Ecto. A variety of practical query examples are provided, showcasing how to implement complex searches that seamlessly integrate with standard SQL. The piece concludes by discussing the current state of the Ecto implementation for ParadeDB, including future improvements and a call for contributions from the community.