UniversityofMarylandCollegeofInformationStudies.docVIP

University of Maryland College of Information Studies Command Language Comparison: Dialog Classic, Gale, Google, and MdUSA Christina K. Pikas LBSC 750 Due: December 6, 2001 Introduction The purpose of this paper is to examine the differences between the command languages used by different database vendors. The database vendors were selected to provide a broad comparison in command languages and also because these are databases that the author frequently uses. The following vendors (and versions) were selected: The Dialog Corporation. “Dialog Classic Version 2.0.” 2001. , accessed December 2, 2001. Gale Group, Inc. “Gale Info Trac Web.” 2000. /itweb/prge_main, accessed December 2, 2001. “Google.” 2001. /, accessed December 2, 2001. “MdUSA.” , accessed December 2, 2001. Although TheThomson Corporation owns both Dialog and Gale Group they are dramatically different. Only a small subset of the databases available through Dialog Classic is available through Info Trac Web. Dialog Classic bills by time and by output, while Info Trac Web is site-licensed for unlimited searches. MdUSA is the University of Maryland system’s shared portal for searching the majority of the databases licensed by the schools. It offers the ability to search databases from multiple vendors at the same time, the Jointly Administered Knowledge Environment (JAKE) tool which allows the user to determine which databases index which journals, and allows for remote access to the databases. Some of the databases open in the vendor’s portal, but the majority use the MdUSA interface. MdUSA is only available to registered students, staff, and faculty of the University of Maryland. Finally, Google () is a popular Internet search engine. The command language and advanced search options are discussed below. Expectations There are several things that all useful command languages will have. These minimum expectations allow users to efficiently find records