SUN STREAK BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATABASE - INTERIM REPORT

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: STARGATE
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP96-00789R003700720005-8
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 2
• Document Creation Date: November 4, 2016
• Document Release Date: October 27, 1998
• Sequence Number: 5
• Publication Date: November 15, 1990
• Content Type: MEMO

Approved For Release 2000/08/09 : CIA-RDP96-007WTQNMENT
DATE: 15 November, 1990
REPLY TO
ATTN OF.
DT--S SG1J
memorandum
sueJECT: SUN STREAk:: bibliographic database - interim report (U)
SG1J TO: Chief, DT- S
1. (U) The programming for the SUN STREAK: bibliographic database is
complete through the first stage:
a. The "shell" programming was completed on 5 NOV 90. This "shell"
is only a translator, converting simple user requests into the complex
DBase :[II+ language. It allows the bibliographic database to be used by
anyone, whether or not they know all the hundreds of various commands
required by DBase III+. It does not input or retrieve data, but does act
as a "controller" for the programs which do (see below).
b. The "data input" programming, which allows input of
bibliographic data, was completed and tied into the "shell" programming on
7 NOV 90.
c. By 9 NOV 90, more than 200 bibliographic references were entered
into the database, to give an initial foundation, as well as to act as a
test base for the programming.
d. The "data retrieval" programming, which allows retrieval of
bibliographic references was completed on 9 NOV 90. Testing of this
program was completely on 13 NOV 90, and the program was tied into the
"shell" on 14 NOV 90.
2. (U) The'second stage: The second stage of programming will enhance
the database capabilities.
a. At the present time, retrieval of references can be accomplished
by requesting (in part or in whole):
1) Fart or all of the author's name(s).
2) Part or all of the title.
3) Part or all of the Publisher's name.
4) Date of publication.
5) Whether or not the written work is in our library.
b. Sufficient "tie-in points" were provided in the initial
programming to allow an additional capability which will require future
OPTIONAL FORM NO. 10
(REV. 1-60)
GSA FPMR (41 CFR) t01-11.6
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* GPO : 1984 0 - 461-275 (272)
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(2nd stage) programming. This future capability will allow a user to
request bibliographic information by subject matter (i.e. "hypnotism",
"research", etc.). In order to accomplish this,
1) A final decision must be made concerning which subjects
will be included in our database.
Additional programming must be written, tested, and tied in
to the "shell" program.
3) All records entered into the database at the time of tie-in
must be changed and updated according to the subject matter covered by
each bibliographic entry.
C. The third and final stake: Programming will eventually provide
alternate methodologies for data retrieval.
1) The present method of data retrieval allows a user to enter
known information into a blank (for example "Rhine" into the author field
and "F'sy" into the title field). The program will retrieve, in this case,
all bibliographic references which have J.B. Rhine as an author or co-
author, and the letters "F'sy..." in the title.
2) In the final stage of programming, a "retrieval by index"
capability will be provided, where the user can cursor down through an
index of subject topics. When the cursor is on the desired line of the
index, a button can be pressed, and the programming will retrieve all
references dealing with that subject matter.
3) This is an entirely new concept in database retrieval and no
known programming presently exists to allow for this capability.
Therefore, all programming in this area must be original, and must be
thoroughly tested before implementation on a back-up database for initial
user-testing. Once completed, it should provide the user with a method of
database retrieval which is far advanced over present methods.
4) Time requirements for final implementation on the SUN STREAK
database cannot presently be projected with accuracy, but should require
at least an estimated month. This time estimate includes consideration
for other work loads. It does not take into consideration that, as of the
present time, I am on orders to be transferred to another military unit.
If this does occur, the third stage of programming will have to be
scrapped, unless another programmer familiar with DBase III+ programming
can be found.
SG1J
SFC, USA
DIA, DT-S
Approved For Release 2000/08/09 : CIA-RDP96-00789R003700720005-8