Several problems of finding keys in directories are considered. Methods of searching ordered and unordered directories are analyzed. Searching on ranges of key values in also considered. Finally, design tradeoffs among the classes of directory and searching strategies are developed. (4 references) (Author/SJ)

Northwestern University's Remote Information Query System (RIQS), an information storage and retrieval system characterized by a mixture of data structures for the internal record organization, is discussed. On-line and batch mode search capabilities handle both textual and quantitative information. Other system characteristics, capabilities and…

At BIOSIS, development of a retrieval system from the pragmatic viewpoint of providing viable self-supporting retrieval service from a data base of more than 2 million references has resulted in focusing attention on supporting the forumlation of the information need into an effective computer search specification. (JB)