> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.meitner.se/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Search & Filtering

> How to use the **/_search** endpoint in the **Meitner Directory API** for advanced filtering.

Some resources in the Directory API support a `/_search` endpoint, which allows for advanced filtering and querying.

### Request

Search requests are sent as a `POST` request to:

```
POST /:resource/_search
```

The request body must be a JSON object with a `filter` field that defines your query conditions.

### JSON Structure

```json theme={null}
{
  "filter": {
    "orCondition": true,
    "nestedFilters": [],
    "equals": {},
    "notEquals": {},
    "greater": {},
    "smaller": {},
    "greaterOrEqual": {},
    "smallerOrEqual": {},
    "contains": {},
    "notContains": {},
    "like": {},
    "notLike": {},
    "null": {},
    "notNull": {}
  }
}
```

### Filter Operators

| Operator         | Description                              | Applies To                                |
| ---------------- | ---------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------- |
| `equals`         | Exact match on one or more fields        | All field types                           |
| `notEquals`      | Not equal to the given value             | All field types                           |
| `greater`        | Greater than the given value             | `Date`, `Timestamp`, `Integer`            |
| `smaller`        | Smaller than the given value             | `Date`, `Timestamp`, `Integer`            |
| `greaterOrEqual` | Greater than or equal to the given value | `Date`, `Timestamp`, `Integer`            |
| `smallerOrEqual` | Smaller than or equal to the given value | `Date`, `Timestamp`, `Integer`            |
| `contains`       | Field contains the value                 | `String`, `Date`, `UUID`, `Enum`, `Array` |
| `notContains`    | Field does not contain the value         | `String`, `Date`, `UUID`, `Enum`, `Array` |
| `like`           | Partial string match (case-insensitive)  | `String`                                  |
| `notLike`        | Partial string mismatch                  | `String`                                  |
| `null`           | Field must be null                       | Nullable fields and arrays                |
| `notNull`        | Field must not be null                   | Nullable fields and arrays                |

### Logical Operators

* `orCondition`:\
  When `true`, filters at this level are combined using **OR** logic (any condition can match).\
  When `false` or omitted, filters use **AND** logic (all conditions must match).\
  This applies both at the root level and inside `nestedFilters`.

* `nestedFilters`:\
  A list of additional filter objects that are evaluated as a group, allowing for nested logic.

> **Note:** Field names used in filters must match the exact field names defined in the resource schema (typically camelCase).

### Example: Search Request

Find all **StudentPlacements** that are in `schoolYear` 7 **and** either:

* have an `endDate` after 2025-04-24, **or**
* have no `endDate` at all.

```http theme={null}
POST /student-placement/_search
Content-Type: application/json
```

```json theme={null}
{
  "filter": {
    "orCondition": false,
    "equals": {
      "schoolYear": "7"
    },
    "nestedFilters": [
      {
        "orCondition": true,
        "greater": {
          "endDate": "2025-04-24"
        },
        "null": {
          "endDate": true
        }
      }
    ]
  }
}
```

#### Equivalent SQL

```sql theme={null}
SELECT * FROM student_placements WHERE school_year = '7' AND (end_date > '2025-04-24' OR end_date IS NULL);
```

> This example helps illustrate how `orCondition` and `nestedFilters` map to grouped `AND`/`OR` conditions in SQL.