Report:STN/Search Interface/The Command Line Interface
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The Command Line Interface
In both STN Express and STN on the Web, most user interaction with the search interface is done through a complex console-style command language. The user enters commands to search, display results, logoff, etc. According to the STN Pocket Guide, STN has two versions of the command language:[1]
- Novice (at least first four letters of the command)
- Expert (first letter or first three letters of the command)
Listed below are some commonly used commands:[1]
| Command | Purpose | Example |
| FILE (or FIL) | Enter a file, cluster, or display records. | => FILE PCTFULL |
| EXPAND (or E) EXPAND BACK (or E BACK) |
Open an index at a word. EXPAND BACK will expand the index in the reverse direction. |
=> EXPAND sulfur => E BACK sulfur |
| SEARCH (or S) | Find records containing the term. If AUTOSEARCH is ON, SEARCH command is assumed. | => SEARCH sulfur |
| DISPLAY (or D) | Look at answers | => D L1 1 BIB |
| Print answers offline or deliver them via e-mail. You are further prompted for all information. | ||
| LOGOFF (or LOG Y) | End STN session | => LOGOFF |
| LOGOFF HOLD (or LOG H) | End the session and hold your entire search session for 60 minutes at no charge. | => LOG H |
Searching using the command language in STN Express.
Users can stack commands by separating the commands with semicolons. Ex: => S GRAVITY OR GRAVITATION; D TI; FILE INSPEC [1]
Users new to the STN command language will find the "HELP" command extremely useful. For example, entering "HELP COMMANDS" at the arrow prompt will display a list of available commands. HELP DFIELDS will list available display fields in a database, and HELP FORMAT will list fixed display formats. The HELP command can be followed by any other command to display more information about that command. You can also enter ? to receive further information about any message you receive from STN.[1]
Entering HELP COMMANDS in STN on the Web.
Note: The command language interface is not available in STN Easy.
Below is a more complete list of STN Commands and their functions:[1]
| Command | Function |
| ACTIVATE | Recall saved queries (/Q), saved answer sets (/A), and saved L-number lists (/L) for use in the current sessions. |
| ANALYZE | Extract terms from answers into an L-number for statistical analysis. |
| ARCHIVE | Purchase the right to store STN search results for up to n users within your worldwide organization. |
| DELETE | Delete saved or current session items. To delete all L-numbers in an online session, enter DELETE HISTORY. |
| DISPLAY | Display answers. Nonconsecutive answer numbers must be separated by commas or spaces. |
| DISPLAY BROWSE | Browse through an answer set. You can view consecutive answers, nonconsecutive answers, change formats, and view additional answers without reentering the DISPLAY command. |
| DISPLAY COST | Display the estimated cost of your session. Options are ON, BRIEF, and FULL. |
| DISPLAY HISTORY | Display the session history: summary of the databases entered, commands that have been used, and the information associated with them. |
| DISPLAY SAVED | Display the session history: summary of the databases entered, commands that have been used, and the information associated with them. |
| DUPLICATE | Determine duplicate answers. |
| EXPAND | Look at the search index around a term. |
| FILE | Specify the search and display file. |
| FOCUS | Rank answers in order of relevancy. |
| FSEARCH | Find all records from given patent family. |
| FSORT | Sort patent records by patent family. |
| HELP | Display help on how to use system commands. Enter HELP and a command name for information about how to use a specific command. Enter HELP MESSAGES for a list of all online help messages available. |
| INDEX | Access STNindex and identify the databases to be searched. |
| LOGOFF | End the online session. |
| LOGOFF HOLD | End the session and hold your entire search session for 60 minutes at no charge. |
| NEWS | Display current news about the system. |
| ORDER | Order an original document or copy. |
| Print answers offline. | |
| QUERY | Define a search question (query.) |
| REDISTRIBUTE | Purchase the right to redistribute STN search results for up to n users within your worldwide organization. |
| SAVE | Save an L-numbered query or answer set. |
| SAVE TEMP | Save an L-numbered query or answer set on a temporary basis. |
| SCREEN | Define a set of screens for structure searching. |
| SDI or ALERT | Request searches to be run on file updates. |
| SEARCH | Perform a search. |
| SELECT | Extract terms from answers into E-numbers. |
| SET | Set terminal and interaction options. |
| SET ACCOUNT | Control how your costs are listed on your monthly invoice. |
| SORT | Sort records of an L-number answer set. |
| TABULATE | Display two fields of Analyze L-number data in tabular form. |
| TRANSFER | Extract terms from answer set and search them. |
