STN Pocket Guide
Welcome to STN®!
With your STN login ID and password, you can use all the STN interfaces:
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Interface
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Type of Searching
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STN Express®
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Command-line searching with desktop software
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STN® on the WebSM
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Command-line searching over the web
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STN® AnaVist™
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Analysis and visualization with desktop software
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STN Easy®
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Point-and-click web searching of a subset of STN databases
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STN® Viewer™
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Patent management and evaluation tool
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This guide highlights the basic features for STN command-line searching. The information is arranged in the order that you may encounter questions, beginning with logging on to STN and ending with logoff.
Table of Contents
Logging on to STN
Follow these instructions to log on to STN.
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Interface
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To Log On
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STN Express
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Install and launch the software. The STN Setup Wizard starts automatically.
For additional information on connecting, visit STN Express Support.
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STN on the Web
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Visit STN on the Web. Enter your STN login ID and password.
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For the most up-to-date information on connecting, visit STN Support.
Entering Databases
At an arrow prompt (=>), use the FILE command to specify databases or clusters:
- For a list of STN databases, enter HELP FILE NAMES.
- For a list of STN database clusters, enter HELP CLUSTER NAMES.
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To Enter
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Follow FILE With
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Example
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Single database
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Database name
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FILE BIOSIS
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Multiple databases
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Database names separated by spaces or commas
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FILE BIOSIS MEDLINE EMBASE
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Predefined database cluster
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Cluster name
- To add a database, include it after the cluster name.
- To remove a database, use the minus sign (-).
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FILE POLYMERS
FILE PATENTS HCA -CA
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Basic Commands
STN has two versions of command language:
- NOVICE (at least the first four letters of the command) you are prompted for all information necessary to process the command.
- EXPERT (the first three letters of the command, and in some cases just the first letter) you are not prompted for additional information, so you should supply all information that is not a default option.
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Command
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Function
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Example
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FILE
FIL
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Enter a database or cluster to search or display records.
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FILE REGISTRY
FIL TOXICOLOGY
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EXPAND
E
EXPAND BACK
E BACK
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Look at the index around a term; 12 terms are shown by default. To continue down the same index, enter E at the next arrow prompt. To expand in the reverse direction, enter E BACK followed by a term.
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E YATES C/AU
E YATES, C/AU
E BACK METHYL
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SEARCH
S
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Perform a search. If AUTOSEARCH is set to ON, the SEARCH command is assumed.
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S MOTORIST
ACID RAIN
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DISPLAY
D
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Display answers. Nonconsecutive answer numbers must be separated by commas or spaces.
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D1-10,15,21
D L6 1 TI AB
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PRINT
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Print answers by delivering them to an email address. You are prompted for all information.
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PRINT
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LOGOFF
LOG Y
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End the session.
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LOGOFF
LOG Y
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LOGOFF HOLD
LOG H
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End the session and hold your entire search session for 120 minutes at no charge.
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LOGOFF HOLD
LOG H
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Stacking Commands
To enter multiple commands at once, separate the commands with semicolons.
=> S GRAVITY OR GRAVITATION; D TI; FILE INSPEC
Truncation and Character Masking Symbols
Use the symbols below to allow for variability in your search terms.
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Symbol
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Definition
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Example
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Retrieves
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?
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- Any number of characters to the right of the term
- Used only once in a term, usually at the end
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ALUM?
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ALUM
ALUMINA
ALUMINUM, etc.
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!
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- Exactly one character at the designated position
- Can be used multiple times in a term
- Used anywhere except at the beginning of a term
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THERMOLYS!S
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THERMOLYSIS
THERMOLYSES
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#
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- One or zero characters at the designated position
- Can be used multiple times in a term
- Used at the end of the term only
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CASEIN###
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CASEIN
CASEINS
CASEINATE, etc.
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Left truncation or simultaneous left-and-right truncation is available in some fields in some databases. See the STN Database Summary Sheets for more information.
Boolean Operators
Use Boolean operators to combine search terms.
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Operator
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Function
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Example
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AND
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Answers must include both terms
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S ACID AND RAIN
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NOT
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Answers must include the first term
and may not include the second term
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S BLOOD NOT PLASMA
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OR
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Answers must include at least one term
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S (FIBER or FIBRE)
S (L1, L3, L5)
S (E1-3, E7)
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Notes:
- Spacing around the Boolean operators is required.
- Always place parentheses around an expression of terms that is combined by the OR operator.
- A comma (,) or hyphen (-) can be used in place of an OR operator with L-number or E-number search terms. No spaces are allowed around the comma or hyphen.
Numeric Operators
Use the operators below to specify values and ranges.
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Operator
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Function
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Example
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/ or =
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Search for a single value.
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S 20060400/UP
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-
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Search for a range of values.
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S 3-5/FE
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<
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Search for values less than a specific value.
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S PY<1967
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>
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Search for values greater than a specific value.
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S ED>20060211
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>= or =>
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Search for values greater than a specific value.
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S FW>=600
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<= or =<
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Search for values less than or equal to a specific value.
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S PD<=19980100
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Notes:
- Numeric operators can be used only in fields that contain numeric data.
- Spaces can be included around numeric operators if desired.
Proximity Operators
Use the operators below to specify proximity between or among search terms.
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Operator
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Function
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Example
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(W) or space
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Terms must be adjacent and in the order specified.
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S NUCLEAR(W)REACTOR
S ACID RAIN
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(nW)
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Terms must be adjacent and in the order specified with n or fewer intervening terms.
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S OIL(1W)WATER
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(xW)
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Terms must appear in the order specified with any number of intervening terms.
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S NITRO(XW)PHENYL
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(A)
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Terms must be adjacent but in any order.
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S SHALE(A)OIL
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(nA)
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Terms must be adjacent but in any order with n or fewer intervening terms.
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S TOXICITY(2A)FISH
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(xA)
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Terms may appear in any order with any number of intervening terms.
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S CHLORO(XA)METHYL
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(S)
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Terms must occur within the same "sentence" or subfield.
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S PLANET(S)DISTANCE
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(nS)
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Terms must occur n or fewer "sentences" or subfields apart.
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S NITROGEN(3S)PUMP
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(P)
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Terms must occur within the same "paragraph".
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S ANION(P)CHROMATOG?
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(nP)
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Terms must occur within the same "paragraph".
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S ELECTRICAL(1P)WIRE
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(L)
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Terms must occur in same information unit.
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S 10024-97-2(L)DENTAL
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Notes:
- Both the letter for the operator and the parentheses are required for all proximity operators.
- Spaces can be included around proximity operators if desired.
- A space can be used in place of (W) in the Basic Index and sometimes other fields that have individually indexed terms, e.g., S ACID RAIN.
- For information about how an operator works in a specific database, enter HELP followed by the operator in parentheses, e.g., HELP (X), within the database.
Order of Application of Operators
Each search statement is processed left to right, in the following order based on the operators that combine the search terms.
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1. Terms in parentheses
2. Terms combined with a numeric operator (=, <, >, >=, <=, -)
3. Terms combined with (W) or (A)
4. Terms combined with (S)
5. Terms combined with (P)
6. Terms combined with (L)
7. Terms combined with AND or NOT
8. Terms combined with OR (not in parentheses)
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Displaying Costs
Use the commands below to view cost information.
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Command
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Function
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Notes
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FILE and LOGOFF
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Display the full estimated cost of your current session.
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Cost displays automatically after these commands are entered. To turn off the automatic display, enter SET COST OFF.
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D COST
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View the breakdown of costs for the current session.
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Enter HELP SET COST for information on options for the cost display: ON, BRIEF, and FULL.
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SET ACCOUNT*
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Control how your costs are listed on your monthly invoice.
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Enter HELP SET ACCOUNT for more information.
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*Example:
=> SET ACCOUNT
ENTER COST CENTER (NONE):RESEARCH LAB
COST CENTER SETTING WILL TAKE EFFECT WITH THE NEXT SUCCESSFUL FILE COMMAND
SET COMMAND COMPLETED
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System Limits
Enter HELP LIMITS for the most current information on system limits. For help after receiving an error or system limit message, enter HELP (or ?) at the next arrow prompt.
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Type
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Limit
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What To Do
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Number of L-numbers in an online session
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999
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Save queries and/or answer sets. Use DELETE HISTORY to delete any or all L-numbers.
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Total number of answers per database per online session
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8,000,000
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Save queries and/or answer sets if desired. Enter DELETE HISTORY to delete L-numbers.
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Total number of characters in a search statement
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20,000
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Divide search into smaller search statements.
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Total number of answers in saved answer sets
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400,000
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Delete any unwanted saved answer sets.
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Total number of saved answer sets
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200
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Delete any unwanted saved answer sets.
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Total number of saved queries
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800
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Delete any unwanted saved queries.
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Total number of saved L-number lists
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100
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Delete any unwanted saved lists.
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Online Help
Use HELP (or ?) commands to view system and database-specific information.
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Command
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Topic
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Use
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HELP MESSAGES
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How to use the various commands and features available on STN
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At any arrow prompt
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HELP FILE NAMES
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Databases available on STN
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At any arrow prompt
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NEWS FILE
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Information about when a particular database was last updated
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In a specific database
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HELP DIRECTORY
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Database-specific help messages
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In a specific database
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HELP CONTENT
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Coverage and content of a database
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In a specific database
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HELP COST
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Cost of searching a database
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In a specific database
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HELP SFIELDS
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Search fields in a database
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In a specific database
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HELP DFIELDS
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Display fields in a database
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In a specific database
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HELP FORMAT
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Fixed display formats in a database
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In a specific database
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HELP PRINT
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Explanation of a command, e.g., the PRINT command
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At any arrow prompt
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HELP COMMANDS
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List of commands available within a database
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In a specific database
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In addition, you can enter a ? at a prompt to receive further clarification whenever you receive a message from STN.
Additional Commands
Use these commands for additional functionality.
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Command
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Function
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Example
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ACTIVATE
ACT
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Recall saved queries (/Q), saved answer sets (/A), and saved L-number lists (/L) for use in the current sessions.
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ACT CONTRACT/Q
ACT NMR/A
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ANALYZE
ANA
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Extract terms from display fields in an answer set for statistical analysis. For a list of fields that may be used, enter HELP EFIELDS in the database.
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ANA L1 PA 1-
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ARCHIVE
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Purchase the right to store STN search results for up to n users within your worldwide organization.
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ARCHIVE 100 10
ARC 100 10
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DELETE
DEL
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Delete saved items or items in the current session. To delete all L-numbers in an online session, enter DELETE HISTORY.
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ANA L1 PA 1-
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DISPLAY BROWSE
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Browse through an answer set. You can view consecutive answers, nonconsecutive answers, change formats, and view additional answers without reentering the DISPLAY command.
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DISPLAY BROWSE L4
D BRO
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DISPLAY COST
D COST
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Display the estimated cost of your session. Options are ON, BRIEF, and FULL.
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D COST
D COST FULL
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DISPLAY HISTORY
D HISTORY
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Display the session history: summary of the databases entered, commands that have been used, and the information associated with them.
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D HISTORY
D HIS L1-L10
D HIS L#
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DISPLAY SAVED
D SAVED
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Display the session history: summary of the databases entered, commands that have been used, and the information associated with them.
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D SAVED
D SAVED/A
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DUPLICATE
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Remove or identify duplicate records from one or more answer sets.
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DUPLICATE REM L5
DUP IDE L1 L2
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FOCUS
FOC
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Sort answers in relevance order.
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FOCUS L1
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HELP
?
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Request online help. Enter HELP and a command name for information about how to use a specific command. Enter HELP MESSAGES for a list of all online help messages available.
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HELP PRINT
HELP MESSAGE
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INDEX
IND
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Access STNindex and identify the databases to be searched.
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INDEX ALLBIBIND CA SCISEARCH
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NEWS
NEW
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Display current news headlines on STN. To see one of the news items, enter NEWS followed by the number or name of the news item.
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NEWS
NEWS 10
NEWS FILE
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ORDER
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Order an original document or copy from a Document Delivery Service. Prompts guide you through the process.
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ORDER
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REDISTRIBUTE
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Purchase the right to redistribute STN search results for up to n users within your worldwide organization.
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REDISTRIBUTE 250 5
RED 250 5
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SAVE
SAV
SAVE ALL
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Save an L-numbered query, answer set, or L-number list in your long-term storage. A monthly fee is charged for saved items. You must enter an L-number and a name ending in /Q for a query, /A for an answer set, or /L for an L-number list.
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SAVE L15 COMPUTER/Q
SAV L1 TOX/A
SAVE ALL C13/L
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SAVE TEMP
SAV TEMP
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Save an L-numbered query, answer set, or L-number list on a temporary basis. You must assign a name that ends with /Q for query, /A for an answer set, or /L for an L-number list.
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SAV TEMP L5 NMR/A
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SCREEN
SCR
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Define a screen number for searching. This command is available only in some structure-searchable databases.
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SCREEN 2043
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ALERT or SDI
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Request that searches be run automatically by STN at database updates. In databases that have SDI service, additional prompts appear.
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ALERT
SDI
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SELECT
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Extract terms from display fields that can then be used as search terms. For a list of fields that may be used, enter HELP EFIELDS in the database.
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SELECT L1 1-5 RN
SELECT L1 1-5 RN
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SET
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Set various terminal parameters and options. Enter HELP SET for a list of all the SET options.
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SET STEPS ON
SET COST OFF PERM
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SORT
SOR
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Sort answers by field codes.
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SORT L2 CS AU
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TABULATE
TAB
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Correlate analyzed terms from two fields.
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TAB L2 CS PY
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TRANSFER
TRA
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Extract terms from display fields in an answer set for searching.
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TRA L1 PN 1-
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For more information:
- Enter HELP, followed by the name of the command, e.g., HELP ANALYZE.
- See the following Quick Reference Cards:
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Command
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Quick Reference Card
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ANALYZE and TABULATE
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ANALYZE and TABULATE for Statistical Analysis
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ARCHIVE and REDISTRIBUTE
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The STN Information Keep & Share ProgramSM
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ALERT (SDI)
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- Current-awareness Alerts in a Single Database
- Current-awareness Alerts (SDIs) in Multiple Databases
- Current-Awareness Alerts (SMARTracker) in CAS REGISTRYSM and CAplusSM
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INDEX
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INDEX for Evaluating Databases and Searches
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TRANSFER
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TRANSFER for Crossfile Searching
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Logging off
Use one of these commands to log off from STN.
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Command
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Function
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Example
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LOGOFF
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End a session and be prompted whether to delete all queries and answer sets.
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=> LOGOFF
ALL L# QUERIES AND ANSWER SETS ARE DELETED AT LOGOFF
LOGOFF? (Y)/N/HOLD:Y
STN INTERNATIONAL LOGOFF AT 15:32:50 ON 03 APR 2006
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LOG Y
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End a session. All queries and answer sets are automatically deleted.
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=> LOG Y
STN INTERNATIONAL LOGOFF AT 15:32:50 ON 03 APR 2006
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LOGOFF HOLD
LOG H
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Hold your entire session for up to 120 minutes at no charge. To restart your session, log on as you normally would.
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=> LOG H
SESSION WILL BE HELD FOR 120 MINUTES
STN INTERNATIONAL SESSION SUSPENDED AT 15:31:53 ON 03 APR 2010
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If you do not log off, you will continue to be charged connect-hour fees. You will be automatically disconnected after 40 minutes of inactivity.