On a daily basis, we use search engines
and directories as tools to find information on the web. However, the
difference is how they get and organize their information.
Search engines use small programs like
bots or spiders that search thoroughly through the internet, follow links, and
sends back information to the search engine’s index. Subject directories, on
the other hand, are human powered. Website owners submit their sites to
directories and human editors determine the value of the site and whether or
not it should be included in the directory.
Search engines use phrases and keywords
to locate information on the internet while subject directory allows users to
find information by using hierarchy.
Google is a huge platform where tons of information can be found. This can range from common questions, to job postings, the weather and directions. Using a source like Yahoo Directory or Infomine is more subject specific and used for smaller scale searches where the information options doesn't need to be as long.
Based on the information provided within the one choice that will least likely impact the programmer's choice in design would be the frequency of a particular item occurring in a data set. This is because the system needs to be handle a large amount of data and be able to scale accordingly, regardless of how many frequent a particular item occurs.
