Updates the comparison of the ELHILL (currently ELHILL 3, formerly ELHILL 2) and STAIRS programs as they affect on-line searching of the MEDLARS citation file. (Author)

A query language which is suitable for use with a relational data base system is discussed. The language is developed as an extension of ideas found in programming languages as well as relational calculus. The development is a step towards the integration of programming languages, query languages, and data base systems. The language offers a…

A new method for concentrating keywords of a thesaurus, based on a mathematical study of the distribution of characters in a defined natural language. (Author/KP)

An experimental program using two magnetic tape data bases from Chemical Abstracting Service ("CT," and "CA Condensates") at the University of California at Riverside (UCR) is reported. Cost studies are based entirely upon the University's ability to purchase the tapes and the Computing Center's interest in underwriting part of…

The paper describes TSAR, a current awareness or SDI system which has been developed for processing MARC records in general, but is particularly concerned with the INSPEC service. Some statistics on the frequency of occurrence of words and comments on data compression conclude the paper. (7 references) (Author/SJ)

Advantages of the Berkeley Mass Storage System (MSS) for information retrieval other than its size are: high serial-read rate, archival data storage; and random-access capability. By use of this device, the search cost in an SDI system based on the Nuclear Science Abstracts" data base was reduced by 20 percent. (6 references) (Author/NH)

Describes an online microcomputer-based system called Reference Librarian Enhancement System (REFLES) which stores factual information. Examples of data in the system and uses of the service are presented, as well as considerations for the future. Twelve (12) references are included. (Author/BK)

Describes XMARC, a set of computer programs which provides students with a simplified means of writing programs for the automatic indexing of an experimental collection of MARC records. (Author/FM)

WISE is an on-line, interactive information retrieval system designed to operate on key-word-oriented data bases. The WISE user searches a data base by entering and combining key-words that are appropriate to the data base and the subject matter. The user also enters certain command statements to enhance the results of the search and to control…

In the pharmaceutical industry more emphasis will be required on tertiary sources which maintain multiple computer-based files. These files are now being made available for SDI purposes, while their usefulness for retrospective searches still needs to be evaluated. (7 references) (Author/NH)

This article shows how MAGIC, a computer language formulated by a major supplier of business-oriented numeric data which works in conjunction with the APL programing language, provides an effective management tool for analysis and presentation of business-oriented data (private or public) by nonprogrammers. Illustrative material is presented. (EJS)

Describes the use of IBM's Storage and Information Retrieval System (STAIRS) in the development of an online catalog for the Business and Technical Library of the Cummins Engine Company. The functions, advantages, and disadvantages of the system are outlined. A reference list and three sample searches are attached. (JL)

This is a progress report on a project attempting to design a system of compacting text for storage appropriate to disc oriented demand searching. After noting a number of previously designed methods of compression, it offers a tentative solution which couples a dictionary of most frequent character-strings with a set of variable-length codes. The…

The computer language FOL is intended to facilitate the implementation of file organizations for information storage and retrieval systems. In many information storage and retrieval applications the designer, initially, does not know how best to organize a data base for efficient retrieval and ease of updating and modifying. It is felt that FOL…