Re: Open architecture ILS?

[Dick Thaxter <rtha@loc.gov>]

While listing ILS vendors with an SQL based back end, it might be helpful
to point out that being Oracle-based does not mean that one can easily do
searches or reports or link to records, etc.  In the case of Voyager, only
a small fraction of MARC fields are stored in tables and columns that can
be queried.  The bulk of the MARC record is written to one or more rows of
data in the MARC format.  Querying those fields requires pulling out the
MARC record and writing custom software to parse the directory and fields.  
With the next release Voyager is including an API that enables one to
manipulate records on the back end which will be useful for batch loading,
global corrections, etc.  There is no API to the keyword searching (non
SQL, or non left-match against Oracle tables)  functions of Voyager.  

And that's just with bib records.  Access to holdings records is even
further limited.  

Dick Thaxter


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*    Dick Thaxter  rtha@loc.gov 202 707-7208                   *
*    Automation Specialist                                     *
*    Motion Picture, Broadcasting & Recorded Sound Division    *
*    Library of Congress                                       *
*                             The usual disclaimers apply      *
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