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