LC/MARC on MOLDS; An Experiment in Computer-Based Interactive Bibliographic Storage, Search, Retrieval, and Processing

Pauline Atherton,Karen B. Miller

doi:10.6017/ital.v3i2.5250

Abstract

A project at Syracuse University utilizing MOLDS, a generalized computer-based interactive retrieval program, with a portion of the Library of Congress MARC Pilot Project tapes as a data base. The system, written in FORTRAN, was used in both a batch and an on-line mode. It formed part of a computer laboratory for library science students during 1968-1969. This report describes the system and its components and points out its advantages and disadvantages.

Highlights

The somewhat intimidating title of this report becomes less so when translated from jargon into more familiar phrases
Some of the MOLDS commands operating on the MARC data base took whole minutes of Central Processing Unit (CPU) time! The authors have learned a great deal about interactive retrieval systems by using MOLDS experimentally, but because of the excessive cost of certain runs, may not be able to continue research with it
This report has tried to describe, not sell, MARC/MOLDS as fairly as possible in the belief that some of its features should be considered by persons designing interactive systems, and by those responsible for refinement of the MARC format

Summary

INTRODUCTION

The somewhat intimidating title of this report becomes less so when translated from jargon into more familiar phrases. The LC/ MARC ON MOLDS system was originally implemented in April 1968 on the IBM 360/ 50 at the Syracuse University Computing Center This system is part of an experiment to determine how on-line interactive retrieval systems could be used to greatest advantage in the information gathering process. The query language (MOLDS) was not designed for reference retrieval, but its design features make its use for this purpose quite feasible. It differs from the usual interactive system designed for bibliographic reference retrieval and deserves attention for comparative purposes. This work will contribute another ingredient to the synthesis of ideas and methods that will bring the state of the art ever closer to the optimum and ideal

BACKGROUND

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SUMMARY