GAF document storage and retrieval system

The system is designed primarily for company reports but may include any documentary input. The following steps are involved in input: (1) Documents are scanned, selected, and subdivided (where necessary); (2) on a worksheet are entered a bibliographic description, a store address, and index descriptors and subdescriptors; index entries are chosen with the aid of a GAF Thesaurus structured to control synonymity, generic and other conceptual relationships; (3) document and worksheet are microfilmed for storage; (4) the worksheet contents are keyboarded for machine‐readable records, first on tape for IBM 1401, in the future on disc for a third‐generation computer. The input is punched cards at present, but more sophisticated input devices are under study. Computer programs comprise the Combined File Search (CFS) system (IBM 10.3.047) with several interface programs included. Document retrieval involves the following steps: (1) An inquirer from any one of the Company's units presents a Search Request Form using both narrative and descriptors chosen with the aid of the GAF Thesaurus; (2) the question is transformed at the center into a set of search descriptors and subdescriptors in appropriate logic statements involving AND, OR, and AND NOT logic, with the option of linking descriptors or truncating them to get word stems; the program has the option of printing out all or part of the master records for documents retrieved; (3) the inquirer reviews the index output and selects relevant addresses; (4) the addressed reports are located in the microfilm store at his location, reviewed, and prints made where needed.