[table of contents for nonframes version]

SEARCH

Description

The SEARCH command is used to retrieve records that match the search criteria.

Synonyms

Search field is synonymous with search index.

Command Line	To use the SEARCH command, follow this sample format:
	=>	SEARCH	term	/search field
		1	2a	2b

Example: => SEARCH HYDROPONICS/TI

Command Guidelines

When using the SEARCH command, follow these guidelines:

Field	Guidelines
1	Type: SEARCH or S
2a	Type: a word, number, or phrase Tips: Choose a term that is appropriate for the search field Apply wildcard characters to the term to retrieve various forms of a word.
2b	Type: a forward slash (/) followed by a search field code Default: If a slash and a search field code are not typed, the term is searched in the default search index of the database(s).

Notes: Multiple 'term/search field code' combinations may be entered in the SEARCH command line connected by operators. Field 2: E-numbers and some L-numbers can be used as search terms. If a search field is not specified, they are searched in the field associated with the E-number and L-number terms.

Example: SEARCH

The following example shows use of the SEARCH command to retrieve records from the CAplus database authored by Dietmar Petersohn and having the term 'hydroponics' in the title.

=> SEARCH PETERSOHN D?/AU AND HYDROPONICS/TI 23 PETERSOHN D?/AU 123 HYDROPONICS/TI L1 2 PETERSOHN D?/AU AND HYDROPONICS/TI

Note: The STN response gives the number of postings for individual components in the search query and for the entire query. Tip: To suppress intermediate postings type SET POSTINGS OFF prior to performing the search.

Results

Answers matching the search query are placed in an L-number answer set, and are arranged in reverse chronological order (answer 1 is the most recent). View answers using the DISPLAY command. An L-number answer set may be used in subsequent searches in the same or different databases as a synonym for the search query. There is no charge, in files charging search term fees, to search an L-number created in that file.

SEARCH STEPS

L-numbers can be assigned to the intermediate postings. To do this, add STEPS after the SEARCH command in the SEARCH command line.

Example: SEARCH STEPS

The following example shows use of SEARCH STEPS to retrieve records from the CAplus database on the topic 'volcanic activity on Venus'.

=> SEARCH STEPS VENUS AND (VOLCAN? OR OUTGAS? OR DEGAS?) L1 ( 2327)VENUS L2 ( 40235)VOLCAN? L3 ( 3663)OUTGAS? L4 ( 17082)DEGAS? L5 142 VENUS AND (VOLCAN? OR OUTGAS? OR DEGAS?)

Notes: Parentheses appear around the number of postings in the intermediate posting lines. They are an indication that the L-number cannot be used for answer display. Answers can be displayed only from the L-number answer set that is the end result of the search. The L-numbers assigned to the intermediate posting lines can be used instead of the terms themselves in subsequent SEARCH commands.

STN Assistance

If you enter just the SEARCH command, STN prompts you for a search term or logic expression, or a query name. If you are unsure how to answer an STN prompt, enter a question mark (?) and STN provides more details. For more details on the SEARCH command, type HELP SEARCH.