Gives an overview of MEDLARS II as an example of a major bibliographic processing system that supports on-line access to a number of very large files, has efficient throughput, and is operated on a single large-scale computer. (Author/PF)

This manual presents detailed descriptions and examples of standards and techniques for formatting and documenting machine-readable data files. The descriptions of syntax and stylistic elements are independent of whether documentation is produced manually or as a machine-readable text file. The manual also discusses rules of good practice for…

Canadian libraries have used Machine-readable Cataloging (MARC) since its beginnings in 1966, mainly for speeding up the cataloging of American imprints. The lack of bilingualism in Library of Congress MARC records was a major deficiency in Canada where bilingual access points are provided for all publications in the national bibliography,…

A technical data file concerned with the technology of Instructional System Development suitable for a variety of users was developed. The file was prepared in a way amenable to later computerized storage and retrieval. General information sources and indexes of highly probable relevance were reviewed with key words and relevant specialty journals…

Explains steps in process of tranforming data from current form to one ready for publication on CD-ROM, i.e., disc layout, file format, building the master tape, and input to mastering facility. The conversion of a product currently existing in book form into a computer-based searchable database is described. (MBR)

Acquaints information professionals with Digital Equipment Corporation's compact optical disk read-only-memory (CDROM) search and retrieval software and growing library of CDROM database publications (COMPENDEX, Chemical Abstracts Services). Highlights include MicroBASIS, boolean operators, range operators, word and phrase searching, proximity…

Within the current climate of accountability to the public and government sectors, universities must provide clear, compelling evidence of the effectiveness of their teacher preparation programs. To accomplish this, one state university designed and piloted a Professional Education Database (PED) system to document outcomes and provide a basis for…

A one-time data entry system, coupled with an efficient use of the computer, which provides inventory management, distribution, and audit reporting, the ability to answer special queries, and to produce customized reports is described. (3 references) (Author)

Describes EDP (electronic data processing) insurance, which provides coverage for such things as the loss of computer programs and accumulated transaction data, and the consequences of an interruption in processing. Discusses what is and is not covered by EDP insurance, how to plan for EDP insurance, the amount of coverage to get, and how to avoid…

This study proposes and investigates file ordering and retrieval techniques which, it is hypothesized, will: (a) reduce the average cost of retrieving records which satisfy a query, and (b) increase the rate of retrieval in the initial portion of the response period. (8 references) (Author)

The role of the generality effect in retrieval system evaluation is assessed, and evaluation results are given for the comparison of several document collections of distinct size and generality in the areas of documentation and aerodynamics. (14 references) (Author)

Describes an online library catalog in which bibliographic references have been compiled by simply transcribing the descriptive data found on the title page and elsewhere on the documents, and discusses the wider implications of the use of natural language descriptions without modifications. Eleven references are listed. (FM)

Examines various types of link list structures built on top of the traditional random access files for application to a database query technique involving multiple keys, and shows how the technique can improve performance of traditional random access files for the Grants Information System. (Author/CMV)

Developments in the representation of music, in notated and acoustic forms, in computerized databases suggest a need for nontext searching. Examines aspects of music notation and sound and reviews literature concerned with basic considerations of musical document representation; systems for encoding music for storage, regeneration, and analysis;…

Describes Extensible Markup Language (XML), a subset of the Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) that is designed to make it easy to interchange structured documents over the Internet. Topics include Document Type Definition (DTD), components of XML, the use of XML, text and non-text elements, and uses for XML-coded files. (LRW)