A
database, a collection
of information that is digitally electronically stored and
organized in a way that facilitates the retrieval of any type or
piece of information. A
database management system
(DBMS) provides and manages access to and use of databases.
Examples: AltaVista's
database, Sirsi Unicorn's catalog, the OCLC and RLIN
bibliographic databases.
Server/Host and/or
Client Software
Database
front-end software.
This translates user search
requests into a format comprehensible by the DBMS and converts
database search results into a form understandable by the
search software employed by the user. Sometimes the front-end
software is also the search software for the
database.
Network
communications software
This transports multiple and
varied communications signals across the physical
communications medium in formats compliant with various
standards or "protocols."
Examples:
TCP/IP (Transmission
Control Protocol/Internet Protocol)
HTTP
Novell NetWare LAN
software
Windows NT (which is
both LAN software and a computer operating
system)
Telnet Client
Software
"Client"
software,
which provides a friendly environment in which to create your
search requests or commands.
Examples: AltaVista's Simple
and Advanced Search interface, Sirsi Unicorn's shield-shaped
"Unicorn" interface or its browser-based "WebCat" interface,
the text-based interfaces to OCLC and RLIN.
Note:
Telnet
programs, Internet browsers (Netscape), or "dial-in"
communications programs are also client communications programs
with some "search" capabilities.
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