miniBB 3.7.2 — Seach box removes spaces — multi-word search terms not possible

Hello Paul,

I am moving my desktop forum (running miniBB 3.7.2) to the stock templates, so that future upgrades are easier. While comparing files, I noticed something in templates/search_box.html.

The script preventSpace() removes every space from the search field while you type or paste, and again just before the form is sent. So a visitor who types "donald duck" ends up searching for "donaldduck", and gets no results. The same happens here on minibb.com: try typing two words into the small search box.

The full Search page (search.html) accepts spaces, and bb_func_search.php splits the phrase into words, so multi-word searches work there. Only the small search box blocks them, and visitors can't see why their search failed.

My questions:
1. Is this intentional? If so, what is the reason (performance, spam, something else)?
2. Would you consider removing the script, or making it optional, in a future release?

For now I am going to use the stock search_box.html without that script, and keep everything else stock. If this is an unwise move, please let me know!

Thank you for miniBB and for your help.

--marsbar

This function was put into the package in 2018 and nor I remember nor could find a trace in my records, why it's been done so. Perhaps it was something experimental, because it's not even mentioned in the Update file.

I will remove it in the upcoming new version of miniBB. You can do the same. Not sure if I would remember the reason, but for now, I couldn't find it.

So far, thanks for bringing this up!

You are welcome, Paul: first time in all these years of using miniBB that I have found an Easter egg! ;-) Glad I could bring it to your attention, and thanks for fixing it in the next version.