Change default index's "field_tags" field to type "integer"

Yes, that's exactly what I had in mind, thanks! (Please set the status to "Needs review" when you post a patch, though.)

However, a second look at this shows why it's currently "string": we don't index the reference itself, but the referenced term's name! Not sure why we do this, maybe because it works better with facets?
Anyways, once we add #2625152: Implement a Hierarchical Entity Processor this would have the downside that we can't just enable that processor for the field – it will only work on the reference itself.

So, either we leave this as-is after all, or we change the field's property path along with the type, to point to the Tags field itself.

Sorry for not looking at this more closely when creating the issue. Still, thanks again for your help!

There is now no patch to review, so "Active" is the correct status.
Why did you assign to you? Do you want to work on this? If so, then I think the first step should be figuring out how we want to resolve this.

If you want to work on a patch, then yes, assigning the issue to yourself is the correct way. However, since, as stated, there isn't yet a plan for what that patch should even do, you can't really work on a patch.
What's your opinion on how to proceed?

After seven months without any comment, it seems nobody really cares strongly about this either way. I think we should go with the field itself, it should be less confusing to people.
Patch attached, please test/review!

Good to hear, thanks for testing!
Committed.
Thanks again, also, to isramv!