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What are Search Engines?
A search engine is a program designed to help find files stored on a computer , for example a public server on the World Wide Web , or one's own computer. The search engine allows one to ask for media content meeting specific criteria (typically those containing a given word or phrase ) and retrieving a list of files that match those criteria. A search engine often uses a previously made, and regularly updated index to look for files after the user has entered search criteria .
In the context of the Internet, search engines usually refer to the World Wide Web and not other protocols or areas. Furthermore search engines mine data available in newsgroups, large databases, or open directories like DMOZ.org. Because the data collection is automated, they are distinguished from Web directories , which are maintained by people.
The vast majority of search engine are run by private companies using proprietary algorithms and closed databases, the most popular currently being Google (with MSN Search and Yahoo! closely behind). There have been several attempts to create open-source search engines, among which are Htdig , Nutch , Egothor and OpenFTS .
