What Is a Database: Database "Front-End" or " Search-and-Retrieval" or " Query" Software

Definition

• Database "Front-End" or " Search-and-Retrieval" or "Query" software conveys a query (a search request consisting of words and/or phrases issued by the user) to a database.
• This software converts the query from the format in which it is remotely composed by the user to a format understood by the DBMS.
  • Much of this software supports SQL (Structured Query Language) standard, which is common to many major database systems, including many library automation systems.
• Client query interface software that make it relatively easy for a user to compose a query (also a "request" or "get") to search a database for relevant records. These software applications come in many forms, but familiar ones include:
  • The "find" application in the Macintosh and Windows 95 operating systems.
  • The blank "fields" in Yahoo, AltaVista, InfoSeek, and HotBot in which users enter the words, phrases, or concepts they want to find in a database.

 

Types of Query Interface Software

• Applications that enable a user to compose and submit a query or request from a terminal or PC to search for information on a remote database vary in format, ease-of-use, and sophistication of search functions.
• Format: Query interface software can be:
  • "Command-line" or text-based.
    • Examples:
      • OCLC, RLIN, and the original interfaces to Melvyl and Dialog
      • Many online public access catalogs (OPACs) such as Santa Clara County Library's telnet-accessible Dynix OPAC.
  • Graphical (such as Windows, Mac OS, or X-Windows)
    • Examples:
      • Sirsi Unicorn's "InfoView" interface.
      • OCLC's Passport interface to WorldCat.
      • The in-house graphical interface to the Santa Clara County Library's Dynix OPAC.
  • Browser-based (which is also graphical).
    • Examples:
      • New Dialog and Melvyl Web-based interfaces
      • Gale Group's (formerly Information Access) InfoTrac / SearchBank
      • AltaVista
      • Librarian's Index to the Internet
      • Sirsi Unicorn's "WebCat" OPAC interface.
      • OCLC's CatExpress interface to Worldcat.

To: LT65 INDEX	To: GREENSHEET	To:	To: TOP OF PAGE:
So many urls. So little time.TM
(c) 1996-2003 - optimized for Netscape & 800x600 display