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1 | 1 | --- |
2 | | -title: Search and Retrieval |
| 2 | +title: Search & Retrieval Tools |
3 | 3 | sidebar_label: Search & Retrieval |
4 | 4 | sidebar_position: 2 |
5 | 5 | --- |
6 | 6 |
|
7 | | -# Search and Retrieval |
| 7 | +# Search and Retrieval Tools |
8 | 8 |
|
9 | | -ABCD provides two primary methods for finding records within the Cataloging module. |
| 9 | +The Cataloging module provides **5 distinct methods** to retrieve records. Each method is designed for a specific cataloging need, ranging from quick lookups to complex boolean queries and sequential text analysis. |
10 | 10 |
|
11 | | -## 1. Dictionary Search (Browse) |
12 | | -Access: **Toolbar > Dictionary Icon (A-Z)** |
| 11 | + |
13 | 12 |
|
14 | | -This method allows you to browse the **Inverted File** (Index). It is the most precise way to find records because you see exactly what is indexed. |
15 | | -* Select a prefix (e.g., `TI_` for Titles, `AU_` for Authors). |
16 | | -* Type the first few letters. |
17 | | -* The system displays the index list. Select one or more terms to retrieve the records. |
18 | 13 |
|
19 | | -## 2. Advanced Search |
20 | | -Access: **Toolbar > Search Icon (Magnifying Glass)** |
21 | 14 |
|
22 | | -This allows for Boolean searching (AND, OR, NOT). |
23 | | -1. **Field:** Select the field to search (Title, Author, Subject). |
24 | | -2. **Expression:** Type your search term. |
25 | | -3. **Operator:** Connect multiple lines with Boolean operators. |
| 15 | +## 1. Quick Search (Top Bar) |
| 16 | +Located at the top of the cataloging interface, this is the fastest way to find a record if you know a specific identifier. |
26 | 17 |
|
27 | | -*Example:* `Title: History` **AND** `Author: Smith` |
| 18 | + |
28 | 19 |
|
29 | | -## Search History |
30 | | -ABCD maintains a session-based history of your searches. You can click on the **History** icon to recall previous result sets without re-typing the query. |
| 20 | +* **How it works:** |
| 21 | + 1. Select the **Index** from the dropdown menu (e.g., `Title`, `Author`, `Control Number`). |
| 22 | + 2. Type your term in the text box. |
| 23 | + 3. Press **Enter** or click **Go**. |
| 24 | +* **Technical Note:** This sends a direct query to the Lucene/CISIS Inverted File using the prefix defined in your FST (e.g., `TI_` for Title). |
| 25 | + |
| 26 | +--- |
| 27 | + |
| 28 | +## 2. A-Z Dictionary Browse (`alfa.php`) |
| 29 | +**Icon:**  (A-Z List) |
| 30 | + |
| 31 | + |
| 32 | + |
| 33 | + |
| 34 | +This is the most precise retrieval method because it eliminates "zero results" due to typos. Instead of guessing a term, you browse the **Inverted File** (Index) directly. |
| 35 | + |
| 36 | +**Workflow:** |
| 37 | +1. Click the **A-Z** icon. |
| 38 | +2. **Select a Prefix:** Choose which index to browse (e.g., "Authors"). |
| 39 | +3. **Browse:** The system displays a scrollable dictionary of terms actually existing in the database. |
| 40 | +4. **Select:** Click on a term to retrieve all linked records. |
| 41 | + * *Tip:* You can select multiple terms to perform an `OR` search (e.g., "Smith" OR "Smyth"). |
| 42 | + |
| 43 | +--- |
| 44 | + |
| 45 | +## 3. Advanced Search (`buscar.php`) |
| 46 | +**Icon:**  (Magnifying Glass) |
| 47 | + |
| 48 | +The Advanced Search provides a structured form for building complex queries using Boolean Logic (`AND`, `OR`, `NOT`). |
| 49 | + |
| 50 | + |
| 51 | + |
| 52 | +**Features:** |
| 53 | +* **Multiple Fields:** Combine different criteria (e.g., `Author="Asimov"` **AND** `Year="1980"`). |
| 54 | +* **Search History Access:** Provides a shortcut to reload previous queries. |
| 55 | +* **Save Search:** You can save complex queries to your user profile (via `busqueda_guardar.php`) to re-run them later. |
| 56 | + |
| 57 | +--- |
| 58 | + |
| 59 | +## 4. Free Search / Text Search (`freesearch.php`) |
| 60 | +**Icon:**  (Database Search) |
| 61 | + |
| 62 | +Unlike the other methods that rely solely on the Index (FST), the **Free Search** is a powerful tool that can perform **Sequential Searches** on the raw data. This allows you to find text in fields that are *not* indexed. |
| 63 | + |
| 64 | +**Key Capabilities:** |
| 65 | +* **Results in List:** Displays matches in a spreadsheet-like grid (defined in `freesearch_ex.php`), ideal for reviewing large sets of data. |
| 66 | +* **Field Targeting:** You can search for a string specifically within a chosen tag (e.g., "Find 'Biology' inside Tag 650"). |
| 67 | +* **Range Search:** Filter by MFN range (e.g., "Search only records 100 to 500"). |
| 68 | + |
| 69 | + |
| 70 | + |
| 71 | +:::info Sequential Search |
| 72 | +Since this method scans records one by one (if not using the index), it is the only way to find data in non-indexed fields (like Notes or internal URLs), though it may be slower on very large databases. |
| 73 | +::: |
| 74 | + |
| 75 | +--- |
| 76 | + |
| 77 | +## 5. Search with Thesaurus |
| 78 | +**Icon:**  (Notebook) |
| 79 | + |
| 80 | +If your system is connected to a Thesaurus database, this tool allows you to search using **Controlled Vocabulary**. |
| 81 | + |
| 82 | +1. Type a term (e.g., "Education"). |
| 83 | +2. The system looks up the term in the Thesaurus. |
| 84 | +3. It displays relationships: **BT** (Broader Terms), **NT** (Narrower Terms), and **RT** (Related Terms). |
| 85 | +4. Selecting a term executes a search in the main catalog for that standardized descriptor. |
| 86 | + |
| 87 | + |
| 88 | + |
| 89 | + |
| 90 | +--- |
| 91 | + |
| 92 | +## 6. Search History & Management |
| 93 | +**Icon:**  (Clipboard) |
| 94 | + |
| 95 | +Cataloging is repetitive. The **Search History** (`search_history.php`) keeps track of your recent activities. |
| 96 | + |
| 97 | +* **Session History:** Lists every search performed since you logged in. Click any entry to re-execute it. |
| 98 | +* **Saved Searches:** Access queries you explicitly saved. Useful for monthly reports or routine maintenance checks (e.g., "Show me all books without an ISBN"). |
| 99 | +* **Combine Sets:** Advanced users can combine previous result sets (e.g., "Result Set #1" **NOT** "Result Set #2"). |
| 100 | + |
| 101 | + |
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