This Working Paper Series entry represents a collection of presentation visuals associated with the companion report entitled, The Design of PC/MISI, a PC-Based Common User Interface to Remote Information Storage and Retrieval Systems, USL/DBMS NASA/RECON Working Paper Series report number DBMS.NASA/RECON-15. The paper discusses the following: problem definition; the PC solution; the goals of system design; the design description; future considerations, the research environment; conclusions

Dominick, Wayne D.

Hall, Philip P.

English

NASA Technical Reports Server

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U S L  / D B M S  N A S A  / R E C O N  
W O R K  I N G  P A P E R  S E R I E S  
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Report Number 
DBUZS.NASA/RECON-16 
t 8 
T h e  U S L / D M  NASA/RECUN Working Paper Series contains a 
collection of reports representing results of activities being 
conducted by the Computer Science Department of the University of 
Southwestern Louisiana pursuant to the specifications of National 
Aeronautics and Space Administration Contract Number NASW-3846. 
T h e  w o r k  on this contract i s  being performed jointly by the 
University of Southwestern Louisiana and Southern University. 
For m o r e  information, contact: 
W a y n e  D. Dominick 
Editor 
USL/DBUZS N A S A / R E C U N W o r k i n g  Paper Series 
Computer Science Department 
University of Southwestern Louisiana 
P. 0. Box 44330 
Lafagette, Louisiana 70504 
- 
(318) 231-6308 
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  
I D w . N A S A / R E m - l 6  I 
https://ntrs.nasa.gov/search.jsp?R=19890005593 2020-03-20T05:07:57+00:00Z
THE DESIGN OF PCMISI, A PC-BASED 
CChlWN USER INTERFACE TO R W E  
INFORMATION STORAGE AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS: 
PRESENTATION VISUALS 
Philip P. Hall 
The University of Southwestern Louisiana 
Center for Advanced Computer Studies 
Lafayette, Louisiana 
April 24, 1985 
A Thesis 
Presented to 
The Graduate Faculty of 
The University of Southwestern Louisiana 
In Partial F'ulfillment of the 
Requirements for the Degree 
W s t e r  of Science 
Philip P. Hall 
April 1985 
ProbIem Definition 
The Personal CaPnputer Solution 
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  Goals of SystemDesign 
* * *  Design Description 
Future Considerat ions 
The Research Ehvironnaent 
Conclusions 
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  
Content of 1- Systems 
Problems In Providing Access 
Increase in PC Processing Power 
Research Possibilities 
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  
DEFINING THE CASUAL USER 
7wo of User Population 
Characteristics 
* * *  
* * *  
- - - * * *  No Desire to NIemorize Camnand Languages . 
Infrequent Access to System 
Limited Knowledge of Programning 
Limi t ed Know1 edge of Cannand Languages 
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  Ektensive Knowledge of Subject Field 
IS&R Access not HEQLJIRE3D By Job 
Job Enhancemmt Thru IS&BAccess 
* * *  
* * *  
e 
CURRENT ACCESS METHDD 
+ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - - +  
I I 
I I 
I I N F O R M A T I O N  I 
I I 
I I 
1"VIATIW SFEEIALIST USAGE 
i~NrEm~m i 
END i 
I 
I 
I -  
REWIRED PROCESSING CAPABILITIES 
* * *  Translate User Input into Host System 
Cmmands 
* * *  Interpret Host SystemResponses 
tora e and Manipulation of Accessions 
* * *  RE? tri ved froPnHost 
* * *  Utilization of Specialized Input Devices 
* * * Modification of Screen Di sp 1 ay 
Characteristics 
POSSIBLE ACCESS Mma3o%KyITIEs 
Terminal - >  Host * * *  
Terminal - >  Gateway - - >  Host * * *  
- 
- - Terminal - >  Local Nlainframe - >  Host 
* * *  
+ - >  Host 
I 
Personal Camputer - >  I - >  Gateway - >  Host * * *  
I 
I + - >  Local minframe - >  Host 
Distribution of Functionality * * *  
- +  + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
I I 
I I 
I I N F O R M A T I O N  I 
I I 
I I 
- +  + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
A 
I I 
V 
? 9 ? I 
- +  - +  V - +  + - - - - - - - - - -  b 
I 
V - +  + - - - - - - - - - -  + - - - - - - - - - -  
I INTERFACE I I INTERFACE I I INTERFACE I .... I IWERFACE I 
I I 
I I 
+ - - - - - - - - -  - +  
I -- 
I 
I 
- +  
? 
I 
V 
I E N D 1  
I USER I 
- +  + - - - - - - - - -  
1) The identification of host s stem functions 
which are used by casual use i! s 
2 )  The determination that these functions are 
provided by the target systems 
3) The identification of local processing needs 
4 )  The developnent gf  a standard.set of caxmnds 
to be mapped into the required host system 
functions - 
- - 
5) we map i of the standard camand set into c &%s recognizable by the host system 
6) The identification of hardware requirements 
for the implesnentation of the system. 
GQAL 1: Desi n a s stem which allows ease of 
acce s to L1 t iple informat ion systems 
to both the casual user and the 
experienced user. 
GQAL 2: Utilize the local processi 
capabilities of the personal c y y t e r  to enhance the search and retri Val 
process. 
GOAL 3: Design a system which provides the user 
with sufficient uidance and interactive 
capability to blow the utilization of 
his sub ect knmle e iqthe developnent 
of systk search st dg ategies. - 
GOAL 4: Desi n a s stem which uti 1 izes 
statg-of - the-a t interface desi n tools 
avai !able for .personal cpquterg e i  le 
retaining rnaxi~ll~pn portability. 
Y 
s be used for  F esearch activities rela ed to GQAL 5: Desi n a systq which ma the 
roveanent of access to I= s stems 
and evaluation tools ""Bf;S an '7 which provides the moni torin 
such rese rch. 8 
GOAL 6: Define future system enhancesnents. 
FUNCI'IWITY REQUIRED - 
* * *  Remote Processing 
* * *  Connect to S y s t e m  * * *  Disconnect f r o m  System 
* * *  Search Subject * * I  Search Author 
* * *  Search Accession Number * * *  Search Title 
* * *  Search Corporate Source * * *  Display Accession 
- 
- - 
* * *  List Adjacent Terms * * *  List Related Terms 
* * *  Boolean Operations * * *  Change Database 
* * *  Print S y s t e m N e w s  * * *  Limit Search 
* * *  Remote Print * * *  Search T e x t  
* * *  Set Status * * *  Release All Sets 
* * *  Sort Set 
* * *  Local Processing - 
* * *  Save Accession 
* * *  M e r g e  Files 
* * *  N a m e  Download File 
* * *  Display Accession 
* * *  Sort F i l e  
* * *  Local Print 
* * *  Delete Local File 
* * *  Delete Accession 
DESIGN DESCRIPTI(3N 
- - - - - - - - - - -  
SYSTEM DATA F L W  
- +  + - - - - - - - - - - - e  - +  + - - - - - - - -  
I INTERFACE I I HOST I 
IAIMINISTRATORI < -  I SYSTEM I 
+ - - - - - - + - - - - -  - +  I M A N U A L S  I 
I + - - - - - - - -  - +  
I 
- +  + - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - +  
I ACCESS I < - - - - - -  I SECURITY1 
I FILES I I CX"ROL I 
+ - - - - - - - - -  - +  I I 
I DOANLOAD I I - 
I INTERFACE + - > I  FILES I + - - - - - - - - - - - - - + - - +  - 
I SUBSYSTEM I + - - - - - - - - -  - +  + - - - -  - +  AIMINISTRATIVE I 
I + - - +  SUBSYSTEM I 
I I + - - - - - - - - +  I I + - - - - + - - - - - - - - - -  - +  
I I I SYSTEM I I I  I 
I I IRESPONSE-----+ I I 
I I I FILE I I I 
I I - +  I I 
4 + - - - - - - - - - - - +  4 
- -&+ + - +  - - - - - -  
+ - - - - - - - 
I I I I 
v - +  I I 
I TRANSLATOR I INTERPRETER I + - - - - - -v+ I 
+ - - - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - - - - - - -  \L/ 
+ - - - - - + - -  - - + - - - - - - - - - - -  - +  I a n M A N D I  I 
I TABLE I I 
I I +  - - - - - - -  
I I I 
I + - - - - - - - - +  
? 
- + - - - - - - - - - + - - - - - -  - +  
I +  
4 - +  I 
I CXMV"ICATI0NS I < - - - -  - +  I 
I SUBSYSTEM I I I 
+ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
+ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - +  + - - - - - - - - -  v- + 
- 1  I ACCESS I 
I I SEQUENCE I 
I I FILE I 
DESIml ~ I P T I C N  
THE I-m SuBsYsTEM 
- - - - - -  - - - - - - - - - - -  
Three Levels of Interaction * * *  
* * *  &nu-Driven Interaction 
Cmmand-Driven Interaction * * +  
* * *  Direct System Interaction 
Batch Processing Capability 
Error Hand1 ing 
* * *  
* * *  
Input Errors 
Host System Errors 
* * t  
* * *  
Local Storage and Processing of Accessions * * *  
The Translator * * *  
Convert E M S 1  Canmands into Host Cmmands * * *  
Send Results to Comnunication Subsystem * * *  
Uses System Camand Table * * *  
The Interpreter * * *  
Accepts S stemRes onse f r o m  
CoPmnxnica r ion Subsgstem * * *  
Interprets System Response * * *  
Performs Necessary Transformations 
on Host Response 
* * *  
Passes Result to Interface Subsystem * * *  
Initialize Camnunications Par-ters 
Transmit Camands to Host System 
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  Accept and Store Host SystemResponses 
* * *  Reset Comrrunications Parameters 
- 
- - 
Create and Maintain System Files 
Access Sequence Files 
System Cannand Fi les 
System Response Files 
* * *  
* * :  
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  System Security File 
Utilization of Evaluation Monitors * t *  
- 
REsmLRm REMJ1- 
* * *  User Fkquiranents 
IHM PC or PC Canpatible * * *  
* * * Minimum 25a Menmry 
Dual Floppy Drives or Hard Disk * * *  
* * *  Hayes-I200 or Compatible Nbdem 
Light Pen (Optional) * * *  
Deve 1 opnen t Requ i remen t s * * *  
Hardware * * *  
IBM Pc/m * * *  
* * * Hayes-1200 or Canpatible Wdem 
Color Monitor 
Light Pen 
* * *  
* * *  
- 
Software * * *  
* * *  C Campiler 
* * * Window Generat ion Library 
* * *  Statistical Support Package 
Expert System / AI Applications 
Ehhance User a e r i e s  
"Advice" to Users 
"Find" Systemwith Information - 
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  
* * *  
- - 
Organize Information into Reports * * *  
&tension to Generalized m s  * * *  
* * *  Menu vs. CoPrmand vs. Direct Access 
(and later) vs. Copmr,n C m n d s  
vs. Natural Language 
Interface Configurations $ * *  
Input Dev i ce s * * *  
Display Characteristics * * *  
* * *  Expert System Applications 
Extraction and Organization of I n f o m t i o n  * * *  
I I 
I 
I 
I 
Level 5 Natural Language/Ekpert Systean I 
Level 4 CoPmaon Cornnand Language 
i 
I Level 3 Menu Driven System 
I 
Level 2 PC/MISI Camnand Language 
I 
I Level 1 Direct Interactionwith Host 
I 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
* * 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
* 
8 
N A S A  
Personal Ccmputer 
Research 
and 
Deve 1 o p e n t  
* 
t 
i 
t' 
- 
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *  
I I R&D Support Activities 
I I  
I I  
I I  
- + I  I I I + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - +  
I I I  Identification and I - - > I  C ontinual Evaluation of I I  I 
I I  I I I I  Evaluation of I I N e w  
I I + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - +  + - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  - + I  I 
I I  I I I  
I I  V I - I  
+ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  
I I I  Candidate R&D Projects I < - - I  H ardware and Software I 1  I 

Place of PC in Information Retrieval * * *  
* * *  Feasibility of Implementation 
Research Potential 
Goal Attainment 
* * *  
* * *  
-1E I: Provide Ease of Access tomltiple Systems. 
-1vE 2: Provide for Addition of New Systems. 
OBJEEI'IvE 3: Develop System Doclnnentation 
OBJEEI'IVE 4: Provide Wltilevel Capabilities. 
ClWEEI'IVE 5: Maintain User Orientation. 
oB3JEx;TIVE 6: Utilize User's Knawledge. 
CrarmrrIVE 7: Facilitate Dawnloading of Infomation. 
ClWECI'IvE 8: Provide Batch Processing Capabilities. 
m I V E  9: Provide Error Handling Capabilit-ies. 
CBJECI'IVE IO: Ektraqt .M@ximum Benefit f r a n  Display Capabilities 
CBJEEI'IVE 11: Identify Necessary Data for Evaluation. 
CBIEXXIvE 12: Design Data Collection Tools. 
m I v E  13: Identif Uses of Artificial Intel 1 igence for Future Ehhancexmnts 
m I V E  14: Identif Multi-User Conversion Possibi Y ities 
CIBJEXXIVE 15: Miiximize Flexibility. 
(System Narm> .host 
<System Name> .SCI' 
<System Name>.  IT 
Trans. in 
Trans. out 
Inter. in 
Inter. out 
P a r d .  out 
Contains valid databases 
for current SCT 
Contain access sequence 
Contains SCI' for <SystemName> 
Contains IT for (SystemName, 
to ranslator 
to nterpreter 
Camnunication from Camrmnicator 
to Interpreter 
Camnunication from Interpreter 
to Interface 
for &st- N-> 
nication fran Interface 
nicat ion f ran Trans-lator 
amnunications Paramet rs YN is a variable value7 
2: FIA 
11. 
12. 
15.  
16. LIM 
17. SES 
22. 
23. PRL 
24. DEI? 
25. DIF 
26. IIER 
’ WYJS 
ab se) 
c t  t 
‘f” 
l+ate Sour 
ed T e m  eT 
l te  
1 ’  stem News arch Text ind A cession Numb Limi t hearches ) 
Displag pt Stat s )  Re 1 eas 11  SetsP 
!Kin[: tlbownl oay Fi 
Mer e Local Files) 
‘Pri E t File on Local 
Delete Download Fi1 
Dis lay Records in 
‘Delgte Record from 
oca1 File 
Printer) 
I L eA cal File Local File 
~- 
1 8. Performing Organization Repon No. 
2. Government Accession No. 3. Recipient's Catalog No. / s3a2  
- 
PHILIP P. HALL 
10. Work Unit No. 
9. Performing Organization Name and Address I 
3 M  4. Title and Subtitle 
USL/NGT-19-010-900: THE DESIGN OF PC/MISI, A PC BASED 
COMMON USER INTERFACE TO REMOTE INFORMATION STORAGE AND 
AND RETRIEVAL SYSTEMS: PRESENTATION VISUALS 
U n i v e r s i t y  o f  Sou thwes te rn  L o u i s i a n a  
The C e n t e r  f o r  Advanced Computer S t u d i e s  
P.O. Box 44330 
5. Repon Date 2#r& d,&? i 4 
6. Performing Organization Code 
April 2 4 ,  1985 
11. Contract or Grant No. 
NGT-19-010-900 
17. Key Words (Suggested by Author(s1) 
PC-Based Standandized Interface, 
PC/MISI Development, Information 
Storage and Retrieval Systems 
L a f a y e t t e ,  LA 70504-4330 13. Type of Repon  and Period Covered 
18. Distribution Statement 
12. Sponsoring Agency Name and Address 
19. Security Classif. (of this report) 20. Security Classif. (of this page) 21. NO. of Pages 
I 
15. Supplementary Notes 
- - - 16. Abstract 
22. Rice' 
This Working Paper Series entry represents a collection of presentation visuals associated with the 
companion report entitled "The Design of PC/MISI, A PC-Based Common User Interface to Remote 
Information Storage and Retrieval Systems," IJSL,/DBMS NASA/RECON Working Paper Series 
report number DBMS.NASA/RECON-15. 
This report represents one of the 72 attachment reports to the University of Southwestern Louisiana's 
Final Report on NASA Grant NGT-19-01&900. Accordingly, appropriate care should be taken in 
using this report out of the context of the full Final Report. 
.For u l e  by the National Technic31 Information Service, Springfield, Virginia 221 61 


The design of PC/MISI, a PC-based common user interface to remote information storage and retrieval systems. Presentation visuals

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