SearchBasedApiDocUrlResolver Class

public class SearchBasedApiDocUrlResolver : RemoteApiDocUrlResolver, ILanguageSpecific

The SearchBasedApiDocUrlResolver class generates search query URLs for code elements that don't have formal documentation or when the documentation location is unknown. It's particularly useful for:

• Third-party libraries without published documentation
• Legacy or uncommon APIs with limited documentation
• Custom or internal APIs where documentation might exist but in fragmented locations

This resolver constructs URLs with search query parameters, where the parameter name is specified in the constructor (defaults to "q"). The search term is the fully-qualified name of the code element, which can be optionally formatted using a specified programming language.

To control which APIs this resolver handles, add namespace patterns to the RemoteApiDocUrlResolver.NamespacePatterns collection, using exact matches (e.g., "Contoso.Services"), wildcard patterns (e.g., "Contoso.*"), or the universal match pattern "*".

This resolver deliberately does not attempt to resolve URLs for explicitly implemented interface members, constructed generic types, and types with modifiers. This is because such cases are better understood by breaking them down into their component parts. For example, an implementation like ICollection<DateTime>.Count is better resolved through separate links to:

1. The ICollection<T> interface documentation
2. The DateTime type documentation
3. The Count property documentation on the interface

This approach provides a more robust learning path for developers trying to understand these implementation relationships.