For the case of symlink '-' to '.', that is obviously a kind of problem that can be resolved precisely programmatically. The fact that Google can resolve it, clearly shows this is resolvable; The fact that others cannot deliver the same thing, only means their programs are not smart enough.

We have to clearly identify what is logically doable, and what is not. Something nobody handles or somebody handled badly does not necessary to be logically unresolvable.

The actual difficulty to compare URL's, has really nothing to do with this kind of small trick, which is obviously logically and programmatically resolvable.

The real problem is that, the solution to this kind of issue is largely related to the internal structure of each particular site, which is not regulate by any standard, and could be so different from site to site.

We have to realize/remember that no search engine is just a set of programs, instead it is a set of programs + MANUALLY MAINTAINED INFOS. Without those MANUALLY MAINTAINED INFOS, there is no google or any other search engine.

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