A mechanism is provided to a user which allows "ubiquitous"
searching--searching of possibly heterogeneous search repositories. In
one embodiment, this search mechanism is provided by means of a search
framework underlying a web-based user interface. When a search request is
made, the underlying search framework detects the search request and its
associated parameters, associates the search request with the required
search provider or providers while still exposing (through the search
context) the full search functionality for all search providers currently
configured with the search framework, dispatches the search requests, and
handles the return of search results in a unified format. The search
providers follow the search framework's interfaces through which the
search framework can detect the search method offered by the search
provider, and results format and option information.
