Standards for a user‐system interface language in on‐line retrieval systems

Abstract

Standards are generally accepted and documented sets of conditions to be fulfilled. They are of several kinds: dimensional, performance, testing, technical terms and symbols, and codes of practice. It is proposed that the conversational language used in interactive retrieval systems should become standard at least as far as the technical terms and symbols used by the user are concerned. If that effort is successful, a standards effort in the area of a code of practice or recommended methods for operation could be developed. Then, and only then, could dimensional standards (to secure exact interchangeability) be effected. In the opinion of the author, the other two areas of standards work (performance standards and testing standards) lie outside the effort of a standards sub‐committee working within the ANSI Z‐39 or X.3 areas, at least as it relates to a user language for interactive retrieval systems.